Education has been in existence for as long humanity has existed. That is how we have been able to know what happened in the past and to pass forward the information that is necessary for surviving and thriving. There was a time when technological tools like printers and typewriters were the epitome of technological advancements. Now, there is so much that has changed; it may be challenging to keep up with all the changes.

Here are six ways education technology has changed.

1. E-learning

It may be easy to bypass such an achievement, but there was a time when learning mostly occurred when the students and the teachers were in the same place. Now, it is possible for a student in Kenya to attend classes in China, do their exams, pass and get their certificates. What’s more, it’s also possible for teachers to record themselves teaching a topic once and have students learn the same material over and over many years after.

Online learning has changed a lot over the years. For example, there are Learning Management Systems (LMS) that make the online learning process easier and more effective. Many universities are hopping on the online learning trend and creating MOOCs that enable everyone to learn. E-learning has revolutionized the education industry.

2. Wikis And Blogs

Long gone are the days when some few individuals held most of the knowledge, and the rest learned from them. Now, thanks to the internet, anyone can learn and teach. Wikis, created in 1998, could be considered the starting point of it all. They allowed information to be jointly edited by anyone. Blogs are a bit different because the owner of the blog decides what can be posted. Yet, if you think about it, anyone can create a blog.

The assumption that you have to be an expert in a particular field to have something to say about it has been debunked. Of course, there are a few drawbacks to these two technological advancements. One of the main problems is that it is easy for someone to publish wrong information. In many cases, the publisher has no malicious intent. It just becomes much harder to know whose information is legitimate and whose isn’t. Despite the drawbacks, there is no doubt that blogs and wikis have greatly impacted learning.

3. Open Educational Resources And Open Textbooks

Remember the days when, if you needed a textbook, you either had to go to the library or to buy a physical copy? Now, there are many books you can find on the internet. With Open Educational Resources and Open Textbooks, it is possible to find digital versions of some resources like textbooks. The cost of buying the necessary textbooks can be relatively high. However, thanks to these services, you can save that money for something else.

4. Educational Databases

This is closely related to Open Educational Resources. The difference is that sometimes, you may have to pay to gain access to these databases. They contain a wide range of peer-reviewed resources any student would find useful. There are free databases, and there are paid databases to pick from. Some universities pay for access to the databases then grant their students free access. Doing assignments and learning has never been easier. If you want someone to do my essay, you can easily direct them to the right database, and you will get a professionally written essay in no time.

5. Artificial Intelligence

There are few technological innovations that have had as far-reaching an effect on human-related industries as has artificial intelligence. AI is changing many aspects of the education industry, from teaching to administration. For example, AI can be used to monitor a student’s progress and give reports to the teachers. Teachers can use AI to analyze students’ records and results and give feedback. Some universities are even using AI to teach, a concept known as Intelligent Tutoring.

6. Technological Devices Improving Learning

There are some technological innovations that were not necessarily designed for the education industry but that have had a positive impact nonetheless. For example, some schools now use whiteboards instead of blackboards. Projectors are also a technological tool that has been improved over the years and has made its way into the modern classroom.

The videography and film industry has experienced significant improvements that students have benefited from. Thanks to videography, people can record themselves teaching and performing experiments and post high-quality videos on the internet. Many students have computers on which they can research, write, and share information effortlessly. All these and more technological tools have made teaching and learning much more accessible and manageable.

When it comes to education technology, it is clear that some technological advancements were not directly created for education but have made learning more accessible. For example, one may not consider social media as educational technology. However, consider how many people who have similar ideas have been connected and shared information over social media who would not have met otherwise. This adaptation of different technological tools from different fields is helping improve the quality of education for students everywhere.