Learning has never been so easy!
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)
does not have a commonly accepted precise definition yet, however the topic has
picked up a lot of attention recently. TEL in today’s world is a field that no
one can afford to miss out on. Human Augmentation refers to the technology,
either manmade or natural, that enhances human capabilities beyond boundaries.
The enhancement can be brought by adding, by modifying, or by bringing out
unusual changes in the way we do things. Even though the term has come to light
in the past decade, the concept has been a part of our surroundings since
centuries. When we hear about TEL as a sub-concept of Human Augmentation, we
think of the adoption of technology in order to promote a better
classroom experience for students or increase e-learning relating-to-teaching
activities. Truly, mankind has made progress in the class room learning process
using the technology. However, it’s a very small part of the scope. In this
article, we will see how man has been closely surrounded by Enhanced Learning
in natural and artificial ways in the past, and how technology is being used to
raise the bar higher.
Learning takes time and patience.
Learning is a partially-discovered biological process. When we learn something,
changes occur at the connections between Neurons, also called brain cells.
Neurons, the largest type of cells, with respect to size, in living organisms,
communicate by sending electrical signals from one neuron to another. Modern
scientists have found ways to measure these frequency bands on the scalp.
A study was conducted on a group of
100 people where they were made to shoot in a US Military shooting range. All
the subjects were monitored. Post shooting, the scientists discussed respective
Biofeedbacks with the subjects. Biofeedback is a process of electronically
gathering information about a normally automatic bodily function. After
shooting for the first time in their lives the subjects were made to shoot
again after two weeks of discussion and no practice at all. The subjects
performed with double efficiency this time, just by knowing about the
activities that take place in their brains.
In another study conducted on a troop
of US Military, which was ranked better than most of the troops in terms of
coordination and overall efficiency, the frequencies in the brains of the
subjects matched.
Technological advancements in the
field of Enhanced Learning are much more visible and measurable than it sounds
in the previous part of the article. We have a variety of tools to bring out a
change in the process of learning and performing. For instance, smart class
rooms are major differentiators between the learning process of the present
generation and the previous generations. Gadgets such as laptops have
penetrated so deep into the lives of so many people that many universities,
where a laptop is imperative for studies, don't even mention it as a mandatory
tool during the process of enrolment.
Enhanced Learning is an out of the
ordinary process of learning by using informational and technological resources
to the optimum limit and getting unprecedented results.
Comments
Post a Comment