Day 1_Reflection

I view educational technology as a powerful learning enabler that is reshaping teaching and learning in the 21st century. While infrastructure and education are fundamental to building a strong future, technology has become a defining argument of our time and a key indicator of social progress. However, I find it ironic that technology remains underused in many classrooms, even as we teach a generation of learners who live and learn in a digital age. This gap reminds me that teachers must continuously engage in professional development to remain connected with their students and integrate technology meaningfully into teaching. From my understanding, educational technology is not simply about using digital tools. UNESCO (2023) defines it as the effective integration of technology to improve access, quality, and equity in education. In this context, I do not consider PowerPoint to be effective pedagogy on its own. Although PPT is a technological tool, it often supports passive, teacher-centred instruction when used merely to transmit information. Effective pedagogy, in my view, depends on how technology is used to promote engagement, critical thinking, and address diverse learner needs.

The TPACK framework has helped me understand the relationship between content, pedagogy, and technology in 21st-century teaching. Meaningful learning occurs when these three domains intersect, allowing technology to enhance pedagogical strategies and deepen content understanding. Emerging trends such as e-learning, video-assisted learning, artificial intelligence, gamification, and immersive technologies like VR and AR are transforming learning environments. I believe these innovations support personalised learning, real-time feedback, inclusive practices, and active learner engagement, reinforcing my view of educational technology as a catalyst for meaningful educational change rather than an end in itself.

However, there are drawbacks of using technologies in education. Click here to watch the video to understand some of them.