Technology is rapidly bridging the gap between students and educators. Digital transformation is transforming every industry and it is remodelling education industry quite dramatically. Investment in EdTech companies is increasing.

According to a report*published by Metaari – Advanced Learning Technology Research company, published a breathtaking global investment of $9.56 billion in the previous year in global education technology.

Recognizing the importance of technology for education isn’t limited to investors alone. Modern-day educators and students are seeking reliable solutions that can enhance their digital learning experience whilst reducing higher education fees.

Globally, students expect their institutes to upgrade their digital learning possibilities making it easier for them to engage with modern learning resources. The demand for better e-learning technology is growing. For organizations, there’s a need to upgrade their digital resources, failing which, they might lose admitting new students and grow.

Moreover, the lack of proper technology forces teachers to use a mixture of traditional and inadequate digital support causing educators to lose interest in giving education. To ensure teachers do not quit, technology is empowering them to change the way students learn and come up with new and better ideas.

How is technology empowering educators?

Let’s take an example of a teacher who uses a software on a digital device to set homework for students. A push notification pops-up on their mobile phones when they receive an assignment. It is easier for them to access course content and interact with fellow students and the teacher through the software. Students who were absent too can access the course content and complete assignments.

The above example indicates that days of set curriculums, chalk and blackboards are long gone. Technology empowers educators to unlock boundaries, promote learning, and encourage teamwork within and outside the classroom. Through technology, educators can foster the creativity students need to create value in the modern world.

E-learning technology enhances the effectiveness of instructors to reach more students at a relatively lower cost. Cost-effective solutions better the chances of educating low-income communities across the world, through smartphones, computers, or tablets.

Technology is opening new avenues for education and it is translating learning into an engaging and enjoyable activity at all levels of pedagogy. The innovative Learning Management System helps teachers increase productivity for themselves, students, and the institution.

Technology plays a key role in promoting skill acquisition in today’s ultra-modern world. The skills teachers acquire today are the skills they will need to pass on while imparting education. So, it is important for institutions to inculcate practical and technological methods in empowering teachers and educating students.

Metaari Report The 2017 Global Learning Technology Investment Patterns

The accelerated technological advancements, the increase in usage of online media, and the reduced cost of mobile technology have opened a communication factor that has sharply affected involvement and relationships between parents and children.

Online media has affected one-on-one interactions, not only among adults but between parents and their wards. Such development has impacted engagement of parents in the lives of their kids, as well as the schools in keeping the role of parents relevant throughout the educational phase of children.

The new generation knows digital technology since birth and is comfortable with it. We can call them ‘digital natives’, while the previous generation encountered digital means and technological advances at a later point in life are known as ‘digital immigrants’. So, ideally, students are ‘digital natives’ and parents’digital immigrants’. This gap leaves the parents struggling to cope with the speed of digital evolution.

This struggle creates challenges for parents whose kids are connected with online education; in the form of staying abreast with latest digital learning techniques, applications, learning software, and other online information. Apart from overcoming digital illiteracy, parents have to identify the latest e-learning apps or software, parents are expected to consider how they can connect with their children and play the vital role whilst using technology.

This article explores ways through which parents can revisit their role and meet the educational needs of their children through digital learning and use of learning management software. Let’s check how.

• Bridging the Gap: To match the pace of young online media users, parents need to bridge the gap between digital natives and digital immigrants.
• Mentoring: The role of a modern parent shifts from being just a parent to a ‘media mentor’. A trusted adult who can engage with children and use technology in a creative and interesting way.
• Learning Outcomes: Use of technology results in parent-child interactions in ways which directly impact academic, social and emotional learning as well. Computer use at home has been associated with enhanced learning and increased academic success.
• Involvement in Education: Schools can associate with parents and involve them and contribute in improving parent-child relations. Parents can be updated about the progress of students on specific topics, activities, assessments, homework, learning strategies, projects through the school’s website.

With the rapidly evolving digital age, besides parents, schools too can become change agents of positive transformation for students.