Technology is becoming an important part of education. It is no longer used only for searching for information or typing assignments. When used responsibly, digital tools can help students take greater responsibility for their learning while helping teachers create more engaging and personalized lessons.
An August 2026 report from INQUIRER.net discussed how technology can build “agency” among students and educators. In education, agency means having the confidence and ability to make decisions, take initiative, solve problems, and manage one’s own learning.
Technology Encourages Independent Learning
The INQUIRER.net report cited a large teacher study in which 89 percent of educators believed that Apple technology helped students take responsibility for their own learning.
This finding shows how devices and educational applications can change the role of students. Instead of waiting for every answer from their teachers, students can search for reliable information, review lessons, create projects, and practice their skills independently.
For example, students can use learning-management systems to monitor assignments, watch educational videos to review difficult lessons, or use coding platforms to practice programming. These tools allow students to learn at their own pace and revisit topics they do not immediately understand.
Technology also gives students different ways to demonstrate what they have learned. A student may create a presentation, website, video, digital illustration, application, or interactive project instead of relying only on written examinations.
The Role of Educators Remains Important
Technology does not replace teachers. Instead, it provides educators with additional tools for guiding and supporting their students.
Teachers can use digital platforms to distribute learning materials, organize assignments, communicate announcements, and provide faster feedback. Online assessment tools can also help educators identify topics that students understand and areas where they may need additional assistance.
When teachers can see students’ progress, they can adjust their lessons and offer more appropriate support. Students who learn quickly may receive advanced activities, while those who need more time can access additional explanations and exercises.
However, teachers also need proper training. Providing devices without helping educators understand how to use them effectively may not improve learning. Schools should support teachers through training, technical assistance, and clear guidelines for responsible technology use.
How Technology Builds Student Confidence
Digital tools give students opportunities to experiment, make mistakes, and try again. This is especially helpful in Information Technology, where practice is necessary for developing programming, web-development, networking, and cybersecurity skills.
As an IT student, I have experienced how technology makes learning more accessible. When I encounter difficulty with a programming activity, I can consult documentation, watch demonstrations, test different solutions, and examine my mistakes. This does not mean that technology automatically gives me the correct answer. I must still understand the problem and evaluate whether the information I find is accurate.
Completing a project through my own effort gives me confidence. It also teaches me that learning is not limited to what happens during classroom hours.
Challenges That Schools Must Address
Although technology offers many benefits, not every student has equal access to a reliable device or internet connection. Some students share devices with family members, depend on mobile data, or live in areas with unstable connectivity.
Digital distractions are another concern. A device intended for studying can also provide access to games, social media, and unrelated entertainment. Students therefore need discipline, time-management skills, and guidance about responsible online behavior.
Privacy and cybersecurity must also be considered. Schools and students should protect their passwords, avoid suspicious links, understand how applications collect information, and refrain from sharing sensitive personal data online.
Artificial intelligence presents an additional challenge. AI tools can assist with explanations, brainstorming, and organization, but students should not use them to avoid thinking or submit generated work as their own. The goal should be to use AI as a learning assistant while maintaining honesty, originality, and critical thinking.
Technology Works Best When People Remain in Control
The success of educational technology depends on how people use it. A modern device alone cannot guarantee better learning. Students must be willing to participate, teachers need appropriate preparation, and schools must establish policies that promote safety and responsible use.
When these conditions are present, technology can give students more ownership of their education and provide educators with more flexible teaching methods. It can support creativity, collaboration, independent learning, and problem-solving—skills that students will need in school and their future careers.
Technology should not take control of education. It should help students and educators gain greater control over how they teach, learn, and improve.
Source
This article was inspired by the INQUIRER.net Technology report, “How technology builds agency for both students and educators,” published in August 2026:
https://technology.inquirer.net/148573/how-technology-builds-agency-for-both-students-and-educators