As we move further and further into the digital age, high-tech gadgets have penetrated every aspect of our lives. Every household owns a number of electrical appliances that they could not imagine living without, and many of us rely on our digital devices for both work and play. As the world around us changes, the way we educate our children has also begun to undergo a transformation. Most children would be puzzled by the sight of a blackboard or an abacus in the classroom, and are now much more accustomed to PowerPoint presentations and scientific calculators. This shift towards a digital learning environment has opened up many possibilities, and has made alternative learning methods such as distance learning a much more attractive option for many students.
Many teachers are now taking advantage of all the latest advancements in technology, and have begun incorporating them into their teaching methods. Social networks provide an ideal way to get information to a large number of students quickly and easily, and will often capture the attention of students much more than printed information. Hi-tech gadgets such as smartphones and iPads have revolutionised the world of online learning, and many students choose this method when completing their studies. Every student has suffered with the task of lugging around heavy, bulky textbooks that are required for their course, and the invention of electronic readers which can hold thousands of books will eventually make this a thing of the past.
To cope with all these changes, educational institutions such as universities have had to increase their tuition fees substantially. In 2012 the UK government announced that universities could increase their tuition fees to up to £9,000 per term. Much to the frustration of a large number of students, many universities chose to charge the maximum amount which led to widespread protests and demonstrations. Another recent announcement by the government states that there may be significant changes to the way secondary school children are examined. The current GCSE examination system relies on a combination of exams, coursework, and long-term projects in order to assess children. The new changes will mean the end of coursework, and assessment will consist of one final exam at the end of two years. This announcement has been met with some criticism, and many teachers believe female students will be disadvantaged due to the fact that they experience higher levels of stress during written exams.
The English education system has undergone monumental changes over the past few decades, and most of these have fortunately been beneficial for both teachers and students. Most companies will require employees to utilise some form of technological device, so it is important to get children comfortable with them from an early age. Distance learning has been enhanced by all the options available in the digital age, and this has made it more obtainable to both young and mature students. Many employers actually prefer candidates who have completed online studies, as it shows their level of commitment and familiarity with technology. As our technology evolves, so must our education system, and new graduates have found that the skills they learned in university have assisted them greatly throughout their professional careers.
Paige Burton got her degree online. She encourages others to do the same and shares her opinions and tips on a number of education blogs. Look here for a home learning college.