What is Education Technology?

In the context of the dynamic development of the world modern trends in the development of education have created the need to reform and improve the entire education system, to introduce new educational, cultural, scientific and technical standards aimed at integrating innovative technologies into the education system. The main features of modern education are individual orientation, providing comfortable conditions for receiving an education, preparing the individual for functioning in difficult conditions of a contradictory society. An important component of the education system is the introduction of modern educational technologies. What is educational technology and what is its role in modernization of the education system? We suggest you to get a sense of this concept together with the Pro-Papers team.

Modern educational technology is a set of methods and tools that are used in the educational process. Their main aspects are: technologization of all types of scientific research (natural, mathematical, chemical, humanitarian, social, political science, cultural studies, etc.); introduction of modern computer and network technologies; continuous modernization and integration of research and educational systems; growth and widespread use of new information and educational technologies.

The main directions of this process should be:

– creation of subject-oriented learning and information environments that allow the use of multimedia, hypermedia systems, electronic textbooks, etc.;

– mastering the means of communication (computer network, telephone, television, satellite communications for the exchange of information);

– learning the rules and skills of “navigation” in the information space;

– development of distance education.

An important role and place in the context of the technologization of education is played by interactive learning, the essence of which lies in the fact that the learning process takes place in conditions of constant active interaction of students. It is interactive methods that help students master all levels of knowledge (knowledge, understanding, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, application), develop critical thinking, reflection, problem-solving skills.

Studying with the help of interactive technologies, with the use of methods of developing critical thinking, students learn to analyze the situation; discuss the problem and make decisions; take a clear position; justify your answer; clearly express their opinion or the opinion of the team, while regulating the time; put clear questions and give meaningful answers to them; argue the answer; search for causal relationships, compare, predict; reasonably evaluate the activities.

Learning using innovative technologies qualitatively exceeds domestic education. It integrates processes that cannot be combined in the framework of classical education, namely, learning, employment, career planning, continuing education. It should be noted that in the context of such relationships, the teacher performs the function of the organizer of the community, the function of the mediator, consultant and leader of the search activity of students, while the student must actively develop personal position, the motive for self-improvement and interest in learning activities.

Modern educational technologies include:

Offline learning is a method of obtaining new knowledge in the classroom during direct communication between a teacher and a student.

Online learning is a method of acquiring new knowledge using the Internet in a real time. Communication between participants in the process takes place using a computer.

MOOC (massive open online courses) – courses that, through video lectures, transmit knowledge to a huge number of people.

Blended learning is a method of formal education, according to which a student learns one part of the material online, partially managing his own time, place, way and pace of learning, and studying another part of the material in the classroom.

Gamification of education is the use of gaming practices and mechanisms to create such an educational environment, whose participants observe their own progress, compete with each other, help each other and motivate each other.

Web quest is a project using online resources.

BYOD is a learning method in which smartphones, laptops, tablets are actively used in the classroom.

An important feature of educational technologies in terms of the technologization of educational systems is e-learning, that is, the educational space in which students develop the qualities and skills necessary for modern people, namely: media literacy, critical thinking, ability to solve creative problems, ability to think globally, readiness for working in a team.

E-learning involves the integration of knowledge and information from digital technologies, focusing on the needs of individuals, access to learning anywhere and anytime, access to the entire world of information. Various researches on “one on one” study demonstrates: improvement of the results of written assignments; best analytical skills; involvement in problem solving; more effective cooperation in training; improving attendance levels; continuous learning process.

Thus, the use of the above-considered innovative educational technologies in practice will help to achieve the goal in learning. Innovative educational technologies undoubtedly contribute to the optimization and efficiency of educational processes, the creation of comfortable conditions for receiving education and the formation of autonomy in individuals and the development of their civil, professional and leadership qualities.

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