Remote Learning: How Technology Has Changed Education
Many students here at Western Wyoming Community College (Western) may remember when most learning was done in person, with a lecturer in a classroom, with maybe a PowerPoint presentation that probably didn’t work. Times have changed, and the use of technology has become a staple of college education. The adoption of technology by educators has created a vastly different environment than seen before. Students can now receive a quality education from the comforts of their own homes, without having to step foot into a classroom. The benefits of this widespread adoption of technology are numerous. Now students in remote areas can now get a quality college education from colleges several hundred miles away, or even farther. This is unprecedented across history and has helped increase the accessibility of education to a much larger portion of the population in rural areas. Remote learning is often cheaper in comparison to learning in person as well, since there is no need to pay for housing, food or other campus amenities.
Technology is also present in classes that may not be entirely online. As you can see here at Western, where virtually every course offered requires, at minimum, the use of Canvas, and consequently, most college courses are hybrid courses requiring at least some online footprint. This widespread adoption of technology is due to a combination of factors, from adjustment made from Covid-19 to basic preferences for convenience.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education significantly accelerated the adoption of technology. For example over 1.8 billion students worldwide were affected by the pandemic. The market for digital learning continues to explode with Learning Management Systems (LMS) market value expected to more than triple from 23.35 billion currently to 82 billion by 2032. The convenience and accessibility of online options makes the prospect of remote learning a fantastic option.
Other forms of technology that have impacted learning also include video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, as well as Microsoft Office. The use of video conferencing software allows students and educators to interact directly in a remote environment without necessitating an in person meet up. This offers a significant degree of flexibility. A student or educator with a busy schedule can now simply utilize this software to conduct virtual meetings. Classes are also often held virtually via Zoom. As impersonal as one might find this situation, the convenience and flexibility of software such as Zoom is undeniable. Microsoft Office has effectively changed the way assignments are completed. Students are often required to utilize, at a minimum, Microsoft Word, and Western even provides free access to Microsoft Office to assist students. Artificial Intelligence in online learning is another aspect of technology still being implemented, and the potential benefits as well as drawbacks remain to be seen.
Technology has changed virtually every aspect of our society and education is no exception. The nascent growth of LMS, as well as the widespread adoption of hybrid online learning, has created an environment where virtually every aspect of your educational experience necessitates the use of some form of software. Ultimately, the more adept a student is at navigating and keeping up to date with trends in new technology, such as AI or improvements to already existing mediums, the easier the pursuit of their degree will be.
