Posted By admin on March 27, 2012
Discover the ways that technology aids online education and learn which gadgets and tools are useful for students of online masters degree programs.
Advances in technology is happening at the speed of light and it is but necessary for education to keep up. Virtual learning communities are being set up to take advantage of technological advancements and to provide flexibility and convenience to professionals who wish to pursue higher education. Online masters degree programs are being offered by a growing number of universities and colleges where technology play a critical role in learning and communication processes.
Online education has expanded the four-walled classroom to a broader virtual university. This is made possible by tremendous advancements in wireless technology that allow students to stay connected to the Internet anytime, wherever they may be. Email messaging, chatting, videoconferencing and content downloading can be easily done with access to faster Internet speeds and wireless or mobile connections.
Students have more freedom and flexibility with online master degree programs. They can do their research, download course materials and upload assignments using the Internet. They can interact and work collaboratively with their classmates from around the world using email, video, chat and other platforms.
There are various technology tools and gadgets that are practical to use for studying online. Most indispensable of all gadgets is the laptop, which now comes in all sizes and capacity. The laptop must have wireless connection capability, a webcam for video communication, ample storage space for saving course modules and for running various computer applications.
Portable devices such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive can be useful for data transfer and storage. Flash drives are exceptionally useful for moving files, assignments, papers and other course materials securely and easily, and bring them with you anywhere. Having a portable hard disk drive is advised for creating back-up of the data in your laptop and to provide extra file storage space.
Touchscreen tablets like the iPad or handheld reader devices like Kindle are helpful gadgets when doing research or reading books, journals or other reference materials. These are handy, mobile devices with built-in wireless connectivity that are easier to carry around unlike the bulkier laptop computers. Smartphones are also useful for staying connected while on the go.
Soundproof headphones can be a necessity if you want to be free of distractions while studying for an exam or finishing a term paper. Since online learning modules normally use multimedia applications, headsets with microphones are also useful to have. Investing in high-quality headphones or headsets will help you focus on what you need to learn and facilitate better communication using technology.
There is an abundance of computer and Web-based applications that are free to download and install on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. There are applications that help you take down and organize lecture notes, highlight and bookmark pages from your readings or run statistical analysis for your research. Other practical apps include university or campus maps and GPS, dictionaries and foreign language translators.
Web-based applications like Skype or Face-Time allow students to interact with their peers and instructors through video chat and conferencing with just a few clicks and at no extra cost. Mobile gadgets and applications are revolutionizing the way students acquire and process information. Using mobile technology and applications, learning is now a seamless activity whether one uses a laptop or tablet, or connects to the Internet using a modem or a smartphone.
Technology enables online learners to work and study anytime, anywhere. It is a good thing even for online instructors as they have more freedom to teach in whatever medium they choose. Using technology renders convenience, productivity, efficiency and better learning potential for students pursuing online masters degree programs.
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