Innovation and Educational Technology Dr. Radhika Kapur Abstract

Benefits of Innovation and Educational Technologies

The implementation of innovations and educational technologies have proved to be beneficial to the individuals in carry out functioning of the educational institutions in an appropriate manner. The major benefits of innovation and educational technologies have been stated as follows:

Tasks become Less Time Consuming – Through making use of technologies, individuals are able to carry out their tasks and functions in less time consuming manner. When they are well-quipped with making use of computers, they are able to complete their assignments, reports and projects in less time consuming manner. Research has indicated that when individuals made use of pens and paper, it was tedious and they experienced difficulties and problems in completing their tasks on time. Hence, the use of technology have enabled them to render an effective contribution in completing their assignments on time. In higher educational institutions, when students are taking exams, they make use of lap-tops. As they possess this viewpoint that they will be able to complete their work on time.

Facilitate Editing and Changes – When the individuals are preparing reports or projects making use of computers, they are able to make changes. There is a saying, write in haste and polish at leisure. Therefore, individuals normally write in haste, but take time in identifying the errors and making corrections. When they read their assignments and are to make changes, they can easily make changes on technologies, before final submission. Making presentations is one of the indispensable teaching-learning methods. The instructors too make presentations in terms of lesson plans. On the other hand, students too are required to make presentations as part of their assessment strategies. Hence, changes can easily be made in presentations as well and this is regarded as one of the most important benefits of technologies.

Communication – Research has indicated that within the course of pursuance of doctoral programs or in distance learning, the students in some cases do not meet with their supervisors frequently. Therefore, they make use of technologies to communicate with them. Technologies are made use of in emailing and messaging information as well as in the preparation of assignments and projects. In order to carry out their assignments in an appropriate manner, the fellow students also need to interact with each other and exchange ideas. Hence, the use of technologies have rendered a significant contribution in facilitating communication between individuals. Technologies have facilitated the communication of short messages, ideas and perspectives as well as lengthy assignments, reports and projects.

Leading to Fundamental Transformations in the System of Education – It is necessary to bring about transformations in the existing system of education. When transformations are brought about, it is necessary to ensure that they prove to be worthwhile and beneficial towards promoting well-being of the members and the overall system of education. As the individuals leverage 2.0 technologies, one learns from the advances in cognitive sciences and pay attention to the effective models of learning (Smith, 2009). The effective models of learning render a significant contribution in the reinforcement of relationships between instructors and students. The instructors find implementation of job duties manageable and the students too are able to acquire an efficient understanding of academic concepts.

Generation of Ideas to Provide Solutions to Problems – The generation of ideas is necessary to provide solutions to problems and difficulties that may arise within the course of implementation of job duties. Through the use of technology and modern and innovative methods, individuals can provide solutions to problems. Often, most innovative solutions come from those, who are viewing the facts from the new angle or with the new insights. In the case of occurrence of problems or difficulties, individuals are required to put into practice innovative problem solving methods. Combining ideas from across silos and sectors are important new and innovative methods in providing solutions to problems (Smith, 2009).

Supporting the Learning Cycle – Learning is a lifelong process. The individuals are not only engaged in learning academic knowledge, but they are also engaged in supporting learning cycle. Providing support to learning cycle means implementing tasks and activities that would facilitate the acquisition of learning. As individuals make use of internet, when they are to acquire knowledge in terms of academic concepts or view images and pictures, it is supportive to them to a large extent. But when the individuals need to make use of technology for leisure and recreational purposes or make sales and purchase of items or carry out other activities, such as ordering a cab, then too they need to learn various aspects. Hence, it can be stated that use of technology renders a significant contribution in supporting learning cycle. Apart from academic learning, individuals get engaged in comprehensive learning through technology.

Promotion of Aligned and Effective Assessments – Assessments are an integral part of teaching and learning processes. After the completion of a lesson plan, the educators need to put into operation the appropriate assessment methods that would enable them to understand how much the students have improved and whether their teaching-learning methods and instructional strategies have proved to be beneficial. Aligned and effective assessments enable common standards and a strong content. Significant work must be done to develop and use better more timely and more useful measurements of growth in student performance on both content and skills. The platforms that enable the system of aligned and effective assessments, including open-ended questions in tests, class assignments, home-work assignments and competitions. The practitioners should be provided with the opportunity to measure progress, maintain records of effectual instructional practice and prescribe instructional solutions (Smith, 2009).

Creating Data Standards and Strong Information Platforms – The creation of data standards and strong information platforms is regarded as an essential, particularly when making use of technologies and innovative methods. This point can be explained better with the help of an example. In doctoral programs, when research scholars are working on their research thesis, they are required to conduct an analysis of the data collected, using the statistical software called, Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). In order to make use of SPSS, they are required to generate information and augment their computer skills. For this purpose, they even get enrolled in short-term training programs. Hence, it can be stated that individuals make use of technology and innovative methods in creating data standards and strong information platforms.

Improving Productivity and Effectiveness – New approaches and new technologies need to be made use of in bringing about improvements in productivity and effectiveness. There is a need to bring about improvements in the technology tools to improve productivity and effectiveness. The technologies need to make provision of real-time resources for data-based instructional decision making, student diagnostics and proscription, professional development and performance management. Developments should take place in technologies in such a manner that they can adapt to new needs and users can take advantage of modern and innovative methods. Improvements can be brought about in productivity and effectiveness, when the individuals are well-equipped in terms of usage of technologies. They need to continuously work towards up-gradation of competencies and knowledge in terms of various kinds of technologies (Smith, 2009).

Development of Technologies for Implementation of Managerial Functions – In educational institutions as well as within the classrooms, it is vital for the individuals to carry out the managerial functions. In order to carry out the managerial functions in an appropriate manner, it is essential to augment managerial competencies. The development of technologies is regarded as indispensable for the implementation of managerial functions. The various managerial functions are planning, organizing, leading, co-ordinating and controlling. The technologies are being used to a major extent in the implementation of these managerial functions. Through the use of technologies, the members of the educational institutions can carry out these functions in a manageable manner. Improvements need to be brought about in technologies to meet the needs of the members of the educational institutions. Apart from computers, the other technologies that are made use of are, scanners, printers, photo-copiers, projectors, I pads, tablets, smartphones and mobile phones.