According to a recent article in the New York Times, technology companies are leaning toward a push into education. This push, although it does benefit students in my opinion, is for a profit boost. Education has always been a big money maker for companies that produce learning materials such as textbooks and workbooks. With an increase in classes, many students are leaning toward a technology based learning system, me included. I’ve always questioned the point of having to carry around so many heavy books back and forth to school, when in reality, half the books aren’t used and half the material in the books aren’t looked at for 99% of the year.
So why havent’ why made the complete transition to technology?
It’s probably because these so called techbooks have yet to be produced by notable education publishers. A recent push by the Discovery company to gain more profit involves the creation of techbooks to go along with their already prominent education videos. Why the sudden push toward techbooks? The huge opportunity that is being revealed with the changes in classroom education. The biggest change is the fact that many schools are permitting the use of technology such as tablets, computers, and sometimes smart-phones.
Technology in schools?! SINCE WHEN!?
Within the past two years, I’ve noticed that many schools have added new regulations regarding technology that allow students to use technology as a learning assistant. Within the past 10 years, businesses have invested nearly $10 billion in education innovation. It took nearly 8 years for schools to finally pick up on the fact that it’s time to move on. I know this is true at my school within the past three years. In my first year in this school, technology was essentially banned from the premises. If any form of it was seen in the school being used improperly during class time, it would be confiscated. This year, many of my classmates have taken up the paper-less lifestyle by getting rid of nearly all the notebooks and textbooks that would weigh them down in the past. There school supplies consist of an iPad and a stylus.
Thats all.
Sounds nice doesn’t it? Only having to carry around a small tablet case to take down all your notes and do all your assignments is something every student dreams of. Education companies realize this, and they are taking advantage of the change by pushing for their own innovation toward digital media being a primary course assistant. Sure they are in it for the money, but sometimes the areas that provide the biggest profit are also the areas that provide the best advance for consumers.
I know I’m supporting technology in education, but will you? Comment below with your thoughts!
Tech fan, deep thinker, caring fellow.
Reblogged this on ambeeks.