Technology and Education: The way forward

24.MAY.11

Editor: Technology is today a critical component of our everyday life. The use of a microwave, viewing of television, texting and emailing on smart phones like the popular Blackberry, even driving vehicles to and from work all use technology.{{more}} Cash is now taken by a computerised machine in supermarkets that is faster and more efficient than the pencil and paper addition of grocery prices. Travelling now involves passports with special codes read by a machine. In fact, some airlines no longer check persons in onto flights manually, but instead a machine recognises and conducts the check-in process.

Communication among people has taken a totally new approach. In fact, the access to information has become so straightforward that an answer to just about any question asked can be sought using the Internet and a computer. The power of the Internet is so great that it can connect persons from all over the world to share information. Keeping in contact with friends and relatives becomes easier and cheaper with Internet facilitated programmes such as Skype, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and Facebook. These programmes allow live conversations, chats (typed) and video chats among individuals thereby allowing the distance between families and friends to be more tolerable.

The evolution of technology over the past years has simply been phenomenal. Today’s new creations and discoveries often change by the time tomorrow’s news headlines are read. The power of technology is so great that it can connect persons from all over the world to share information in various fields such as medicine, science, business or education. As a nation, we must recognise the benefits of technology and encourage each other to embrace it so that we can function in this globalised world.

With this recognition of the benefits of technology, countries across the Caribbean are embarking on change within their education systems. We in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, like many of our regional neighbours, are now promoting the integration of current technologies into our educational institutions. These technologies include among others, computers, scanners, smartboards, projectors, the Internet, online learning groups and online education management systems. A major aim of applying these technologies, is to transform the classroom environment from traditional teacher-centred ‘chalk and talk’ to one in which student-centred learning is the focus.

The reconstruction of the traditional classroom into a more student-centred one will be welcomed by the youth. Unlike the older generation, the youth are born into the age of technology and generally are naturally tech-savvy. Thus, classrooms that embrace technology will make it comfortable for students to sit and learn in ways they know best. We know that from an early age, they fiddle with gadgets and devices the way we played

with marbles and dolls. It’s amazing today to see a three year old little boy or girl use a computer or a Blackberry easier and faster than an adult who has owned the device for longer than the toddler’s age. This is an incredible phenomenon that teachers must capitalise on to get children to learn. There is no reason why learning should not be fun.

Let us find a way to merge the traditions that worked best with the modern technologies of our world to create the best possible learning environment.

The technology is upon us and we must embrace it, our future depends on it.

Andrea Veira