Google’s Role on Education, Essay Example

The education sector features great dynamicity, an element that may be attributed to the globalization factor. Aside from the adoption of some of the latest education programs in higher learning institutions, education has been changed by the need to provide learning opportunities while breaking the limits of geographical barriers. With the revolution of the use of computers, learners have been provided with multiple possibilities through the internet, an element that has influenced change in measures taken for learning. Despite the improved opportunities offered through Google search engines, it is argued that the platform has had adverse impacts on the education sector. From concerns regarding the authenticity of the projects and assignments submitted by learners to the issues regarding the role the platform plays in encouraging laziness among learners, Google is asserted to have affected education negatively. However, numerous accomplishments in the education sector show that Google continues to create new possibilities in the education sector and has revolutionized learning. In fact, with the growth of globalization, Google is one of the platforms that help in improving the quest to ensure that quality of education, through access to equipment, is achieved in learning institutions.

Collins and Richard (page 3) note that one of the changes that have been experienced in the education sector in the wake of technological growth is the gaining of mobility. The authors note that education, presently, has been taken to internet cafes, workplaces, restaurants, homes, and various other places. With the number of people taking online classes increasing, the access to resources to facilitate their learning becomes an important factor. Google, as the authors note, is one of the recent measures that have helped ensure that people can sustain their jobs while taking programs in distant higher learning institutions (Collins and Richard 32). The fact that individuals can be accepted into competitive programs in reputable institutions, therefore, demonstrates that Google has helped in creating flexibility in the education sector.

The lack of resources is an issue that is cited as a concern in the education sector today. Some institutions are unable to access high-quality teachers, which results in slowed progress for the learners. As Collins and Richard note, the best teachers have often easily lured away from the high-poverty institutions, which limits the chance that the learners will access the quality required (Collins and Richard 41). The inability to access quality teachers and the necessary resources to facilitate learning, therefore, illustrates the need for other means of accessing the needed information. Google search engines offer learners access to millions of information on their subject of interests. Similarly, the platform offers the learners access to resources that would not be accessible in their learning institutions. In this case, Google features as an alternative for the students, enabling them to access similar services to their counterparts in institutions with facilities (Collins and Richard 49).

Google, through Google Apps, is part of the major technological changes that have been evidenced to play a pivotal role in inspiring change and progress in the education sector (Cahil 36). In a study focusing on the impacts of using Google apps in education, it is evidenced that learners can develop quickly and ensure their skills are matched to the needs of the jobs industry (Cahil 39). The study revealed that the attitudes of the learners are not only improved through the use of Google apps for communication but that the learners developed important professional skills with greater ease. Through Google products such as Google-powered laptops, educators can ensure effectiveness among the working groups within classroom setups (Cahil 41). Similarly, the apps enable independent learners to access libraries and other sources of scholarly material, which further illustrates the essence of Google in education.

The increasing rate of technology has been the driving force behind the adaptation of various learning strategies. Evidently, Google increases access to information mainly through its search engine technology and makes it universally available to all individuals who can access the internet (Singer n.p). The demand for information has prompted the company to create a user-friendly interface that enables learners and educators acquire the information they are looking for. Notably, the latter has allowed the company to influence and take control of different learning methods. With a focus on the effects of Chromebooks established by the company, learners, regardless of their age rely on these sources of information because they are accessible and available (Tan n.p). This feature is transforming the field of education because it guarantees learners more additional sources of information as long as they can access the internet.

Studies note that the way in which students’ acquire information might affect their level of commitment towards learning. For example, since Google Apps service allows students to access accurate information, it becomes difficult for them to conduct more in-depth analyses while doing research. Furthermore, the latter makes them put fewer efforts towards studies because they acquire the answers by searching for certain keywords (Singer n.p). Although this factor makes the learning experience enjoyable for most students, it has prompted various education directors to set certain measures to regulate how learners use online information. For example, students are required to properly acknowledge various authors by properly citing individuals who generated the information they use.

From the factor mentioned above, it is important to note that the company remains an asset to learners, as well as educators because it simplifies and saves time by providing localized applications which in turn increases the productivity within the classroom (Singer n.p). On similar account, Tan (2017) argue that the platform offered by the company facilitates efficiency in education by states that Google has made it possible for people in the education sector to work collaboratively. Consequently, the relationships between the learners and the educators have been increased because Google enables equal access to information. As such, the education sectors experience tremendous growth because teachers acquire and utilize new skill via broadband alongside their students.

Through various platforms, Google continues to transform the schooling experience through initiatives and movements that promote online learning as an important aspect of education (Tan n.p). Consequent to such developments, various learning institutions, precisely those offering degree programs, explore such options with the aim of providing the right tools that support and help most learners to thrive. It is interesting to note that the use of such platforms points towards distance education (Singer n.p). These mediums of study boost the education sector by encouraging further developments. For example, most education directors have been forced to initiate relevant progress that seeks to ensure that various schools have reliable connectivity to enable learners and teachers use the technology confidently.

In different parts of the globe, many learners can utilize various application software created by Google as a result of literacy. As such, because students and educators are familiar with most of these applications, adapting them as models to foster effectiveness in learning becomes significant. Based on that, it can be argued that different school settings have been transformed to enable various people to access helpful information through various gadgets. Whether it is a tablet, a phone, or desktop, regardless of manufacturer and platform, one can easily read their emails either at home or in school as the majority of students already use Gmail to manage personal messages. The general familiarity with Google Apps means that a user can seamlessly migrate to the Google platform.

As earlier mentioned, different studies indicate that the education models established Google have transformed the education sector positively (Tan n.p). In Singer (2017) view, all levels of education are experiencing significant developments because of the growing technology. Through different methods, the company is fostering ease in the education sector by creative, user-friendly software that allows leaner and educators gain access to information alike. With regards to the literature available in articles about learning and teaching, it is noteworthy that quality teaching is the bedrock of all developments.

Importantly, the models help different students to gain the motivation necessary for education. Focusing on the advantages of this model, learners and educators can discover a world of infinite resources and change the role of the teacher from just distributing information to coaching and supporting students as they explore the information that can be accessed to enable them to solve various problems. Further, various devices used by educators to facilitate online education is necessary as long as they can access the internet (Singer n.p). Also, the uses of these mediums foster teamwork in collaboration. From the analysis, it is important to note that educators often cite Google’s collaborative productivity suite learning and as the most profound change in the way they teach and the way students learn.

The cognitive impacts of the Internet (with a focus on Google) also help illustrate how it contributes towards changes in the education sector. The number of searches through Google search engines has significantly grown since 1998. Whereas the number was about 9,800, it has presently risen to about 4.7 trillion. With Google offering its users instant information, many people have grown increasingly thrilled with it (Collins and Richard 61). One of how the noted factors affect learners is through encouraging them to take up new challenges. With learners assured of access to ways of addressing some of the limitations to their learning process, most demonstrate the willingness to take up new educational challenges. For instance, Collins and Richard give various illustrations that demonstrate the psychological impacts of the improved access to educational information through the internet (Google) (Collins and Richard 63). With people taking up new challenges such as learning to program through online instructions, it is evident that the motivation of realizing one’s learning goals through improved access to the necessary materials ensures that learners can continually pursue new challenges.

On the other hand, it is notable that learners are also negatively influenced by the ready availability of information on the internet. For instance, while students may be ready to take up new educational challenges given the access to material, most feature little or no commitment to retaining the information they get (Brabazon 157). Whereas one may access details when seeking for specific information, most learners limit themselves to extracting the actual detail that they were after. With the self-limitation, most students forget the information quickly as they consider it to be easily accessible through the internet (Brabazon 159). With the presence of Google apps and resources, learners feature forgetfulness as they find the information to be easily accessible (Brabazon 160). The growing overreliance in the ready availability of information through Google has limited the effectiveness of research among students, an element that affects learning.

It is factual that numerous limitations characterize learners’ use of Google in conducting their research and conducting the learning process. For instance, cheating is cited as one of the constraints associated with the exposure to a wide set of information through Google. Despite the noted limitations experienced in the education sector, the use of Google apps and the fact that students can access multiple databases through the Google search engine has opened up multiple possibilities. Leaners today can easily run group discussions through forums such as Google hangouts. Similarly, information can be shared effectively through applications such as Google Drive, making it easier to work in research in collaboration. Aside from the improved chances of enhancing performance through the access to information, the fact that students can take online classes and ensure their programs are a success means that technologies inspired by Google continue to impact the education sector positively. With the availability of Google applications, it is easier to ensure that learners access quality education and that the learning process can be easily improved. It is also easier to optimize the outcomes of learning if coordination among the learners is improved, an achievement that can be made through Google apps.

Works Cited

Brabazon, Tara. The University of Google Education in the (Post) Information Age. Abingdon, Oxon, Taylor and Francis, 2016.

Cahil, Jacqueline L. “The Collaborative Benefits of Google Apps Education in Higher Education.” 2011.

Collins, Allan, and Richard Halverson. Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology: the Digital Revolution and Schooling in America. New York, Teachers College Press, 2009

Singer, Natasha. “How Google Took Over the Classroom.” The New York Times, LexisNexis Academy, 13 May 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/05/13/technology/google-education-chromebooks-schools.html?_r=0.

Tan, Zhai Yun. “How Has Google Affected The Way Students Learn?” MindShift, KQED, 9 Mar. 2017, ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/02/08/how-has-google-affected-the-way-students-learn/.