How the evolution of Technology has and is Impacting Communication in Schools?

“Almost every household with children under 15 years of age had access to the internet at home (97%)”

We all know that almost every household in Australia has at least one piece of current technology. In Fact, in 2015 “Almost every household with children under 15 years of age had access to the internet at home (97%)” in some form or way. — (Australia & Statistics, 2016) Let me overwhelm you with some more statistics. Between the starting of the millennia and 2015 (2000–2015) 3.17 billion people across our planet access the internet and just in Australia alone 7.3 million people had access to the internet in some form or way between 2006–2012.

So we start to get that idea that every year more and more people are gaining access to the internet and every year more technologies are brought about to help us engage with the internet.

“the biggest change that comes with technological advancements is the sheer number of people that we can interact with.” (Edwards, 2015)

This is beginning to change the way humans communicate with each other and in particular something that will eventually be life is changing the student to teacher communication bond. Students can now connect with teachers easier and Callas says that this is due to teachers being available almost 24 hours a day to interact with students rather than the “old-school” methods of communication such as scheduling office visits or impromptu after-class discussions. (Staff, 2013)

Emails and online chats have had a massive impact on the Student teacher bond. Teachers can have a more 1 on 1 experience with students as technology allows for better communication via messages, where teachers can have 1 on 1 time with students more regularly as it is possible to talk to multiple students individually at once. It also allows for Group communications, students can have group messages where the children can share their thoughts and questions and receive help from each other in time helping each other grow and learn new things. Teacher can give Feedback to students quicker, and with the online system peers can even review each other’s work if need be.

The emergence of social networks and blogs means that the learning can extend beyond the Classroom allowing Students who cannot reach school can still gain quality information and also for there to be 24/7 interaction with teachers. Classrooms can now collaborate more efficiently as students can collaborate with other students inside and outside of the classroom quickly. They can also talk to teachers outside of the classroom or in the classroom easily and without having the feel awkward about asking questions in front of the whole class

As with most things, technology comes with ethical issues. It has and will become even harder to moderate as a teacher what your students are writing in the classroom, and also what they are saying to each other. The other major that comes with technology is access. Most of Australia does have internet access, but the other percentage that don’t are getting the short side of the stick. They may feel like they aren’t getting the benefits as much as others and this can lead to inequalities in society.

In terms I do believe that the emergence of technology in education has become good for the way we can all communicate, as it makes bonds stronger and can lead to better education and smarter children if used correctly.