Go Green – Get Technology into Education
Posted by Trisha Mukherjee — Jan 6, 2015
We have been talking about the world coming to doom for quite some time now. The fact that global warming has been growing with an alarming speed; one does wonder how far is the day, when we truly realize how much global warming is affecting us. Until then, we can promote the notion of ‘Go Green’ and secretly hope that somehow that changes the dynamics of the world – and we can survive for another millennia.
The concept of green has spread like wild fire. Now finally it has entered the hemisphere of education. While most work places are proudly going green; the education sector is still abiding by the traditional methods of teaching. However, the concept of technology has somehow slowly crept in, and has made a huge uproar in this system.
If you are looking at making your campus green, here are few ways how to incorporate technology into your own institute:
- One of the primary requirements of a green campus is the availability of high speed internet. That too, not just the dial up broadband – but in all sense a complete Wi-Fi campus. Through this, incorporating technology into education becomes extremely easy. While students are always online, this availability of technology also helps bridging the communication gap between the teachers and the students. The fact that technology takes education out of the boring humdrum of just plain classroom studies and adds the jazz of usage of various devices, apps etc.
- In this digital age, the students relate and grasp anything that is related to technology faster than the old school method of blackboards and books. That is when introduction to virtual learning and online courses comes to play. In the digital world, the usage of pen and paper will slowly reduce to minimum. However, while studying in the classroom, you need to use your laptops, tablets etc. for notes, which as an institution you need to make it mandatory. Make the usage of paper absolutely obsolete or reusable and aim to make your campus sustainable.
- While a library is a must, most students waste a lot of paper and resources in Xeroxing and copying notes. However, most digital devices have the capability of taking pictures, scanning etc. Try encouraging students to use them, instead of good old copying. Then, another factor that would combine technology and education is E-Books. Other than buying books, propose the idea of E-Books. Books can be cumbersome to carry and travel with; on the other hand e-books makes studying on a go extremely easy. The students could be in a café or their own dorm room – studying has suddenly become exponentially lighter and easier.
- In this modern day and age, technology has introduced various apps that helps in assessments, attendances, communication etc.For example:
- Spin helps you with sharing documents, media files while in video conferencing. Institutions can transform distance learning into a real time experience. Students who are far away can interact regularly with teachers and other students. They can do synchronized viewing of documents, class videos and other educational material at the same time as video conferencing. They can see, ask questions and comment on the materials and data just like a normal classroom.
- Desire2Learn Binder , helps you to keep all your documents and files at one place. This application is based on cloud computing. Via this, a student has access to all the course content and documents whenever needed. In addition to this, the student can also add more notes, edit them, highlight them and share them. The availability to internet helps them to access it from anywhere and at any time.
- Blackboard Mobile Learn is the perfect tracking app. Via this app, both the teacher and the student can make use of it for bridging the communication gap between them. Teachers can use this app to assign tasks, make announcements and manage the progress of each student in those assignments, keep an attendance list etc. The students and teachers alike can also use this app to upload and share media, assign grades, write blogs and journals and share them.
As an institution, you are a starting step for a cleaner and greener environment. Make your campus durable and sustainable and be welcoming to technology. Encourage students to incorporate their daily devices into education. Stop thinking these handy
devices as distraction, but on the contrary make them a stepping stone for spreading more knowledge.
The article is written by: Trisha Mukherjee. She is a professional writer and adviser on education and career . An ardent reader, a traveler and a passionate photographer, she wants to explore the world and write about whatever comes across her way.
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