Is it worth investing in technology in education? History tells us that it is. Innovation has been the main driving force behind major advances in learning, regardless of age or goal.

Today, digital transformation is a central pillar of business strategies, and the same applies to educational institutions, which are already beginning to take advantage of technology to enhance their educational practices.

Over the centuries, technology has played a crucial role in the evolution of education. And it’s not just now that this revolution is taking place:

• 1500: Shortly after the discovery of Brazil, the invention of the pencil simplified learning, writing, and the popularization of written records.
• 1890: As the Industrial Revolution took hold, chalkboards and chalk were introduced into classrooms, providing a practical and dynamic way of teaching.
• 1950: With the technological race and breakthroughs of the post-war era, devices such as projectors and mimeograph machines began to be used in educational environments.
• 2000: The arrival of personal computers, the internet, and the digitization of content has radically transformed the interaction between students, teachers, and teaching materials.
• 2010: Gamification became a reality in classrooms, making the teaching process more engaging and efficient.
• 2020: With the advent of 5G, metaverse, and hyperscale technologies, we are on the brink of a new revolution that promises to further expand the reach and effectiveness of education globally.

Whether in higher education or other forms of learning, technology has become a vital addition to modern classrooms.

Want to learn more about the subject and why it’s necessary to adopt technology in your educational institution? Just keep reading!

What is the role of technology in education?

The role of technology in education goes beyond “facilitating” learning. It maximizes learning effectiveness by aligning with Glasser’s principles for a deeper and more meaningful assimilation.

Breaking away from traditional teaching methods, technology offers opportunities to personalize learning, allowing each student to progress at their own pace.

According to TI Inside, Brazil accounts for almost 70% of Latin America’s edtech companies and attracts 80% of investment in the industry across the continent. These startups are redesigning education with integrated innovation and pedagogy, operating where traditional education does not reach.

It also lets educators collect and analyze educational data in real time, helping schools make smart decisions about student performance, resource allocation, and curriculum improvements.

This capability also positions the institution as an educational innovator, attracting more students and potentially increasing retention and satisfaction.

Today, educating with technology means building broader bridges—between realities, rhythms, access, and life stories.

It means to allow students to go beyond the textbook, the classroom to extend beyond its walls, and learning to be flexible, lively, and closer to those who are there, learning.

William Glasser’s pyramid: active learning enhanced by technology

When we think about how technology can transform education, it is important to consider William Glasser’s Pyramid, which demonstrates how different teaching methods impact knowledge retention.

According to Glasser, only 10% of content is retained when read, while 95% is assimilated when we teach others. Technology, by providing interactive platforms, simulations, and collaborative tools, amplifies these active learning methods, allowing students not only to absorb information, but also to practice and share it in virtual environments.

Technology in education: 8 reasons to embrace it

For an educational institution, embracing technology in education is not just a step toward modernization, but a strategic transformation for any institution.

Although the education sector has its roots in traditional methods, technological integration opens the door to a new era of teaching and management, where innovation and efficiency go hand in hand.  

Check out the main reasons for your company to invest in technology in education below:

1.    Securing personal information

Educational institutions, especially vocational or higher education institutions, often handle a lot of personal and sensitive information about their students.

Protecting this data is a necessity nowadays, given the possibility of cyber-attacks.

For cybercriminals, data is the main target, as it can reveal a lot about people.

That is why institutions must invest in management systems and databases capable of ensuring the integrity of information.

It is a requirement for companies in the industry, especially in light of laws such as the LGPD and the Digital Office, and an obligation for educational institutions per the Ministry of Education and Culture Rule 315.

2.    Engagement inside and outside the classroom

One of the great challenges of education today is capturing students’ attention. There are so many outside distractions that it’s hard to be effective in the traditional teaching model, where the student is just a spectator.

Technology in education has the power to make the learning process more engaging—whether inside or outside the classroom.

One such example is gamification: It allows institutions to take advantage of resources such as Virtual Reality and storytelling to create playful and engaging learning environments.

And although it may seem so, this is not an innovation that is only applicable to basic education, but to all levels of learning for both children and adults.

3.    Cost reduction and improved benefits

Imagine being able to reduce your business costs by investing in technology in education. Modern solutions enable leaders to evaluate their operations based on concrete results—data about day-to-day operations.

The same applies to education. With the help of data centers, for example, institutions can digitize all of their material, documents, and administrative sectors.

Thus, in addition to making the institution more efficient and integrated, you reduce printing and document storage costs, while increasing security for sensitive documents.

4.    Digitization of files and sustainability

Another point to consider when it comes to the digitization of files and the entire academic collection of a HEI (higher education institution) is its potential to become more sustainable.

After all, we are talking about reducing paper use—a practice that is more than common in HEIs across the country.

In fact, it is also mandatory for public and private higher education institutions.

According to Ministry of Education and Culture Rule 325, it is necessary to virtualize the entire academic collection so that the institution can digitize its management.

5.    Advances in knowledge and learning

With technology in education, students can study in the way that best suits their needs.

This allows each teaching plan to be customized to improve performance based on each person’s strengths and weaknesses.

It is a reality that still needs to be worked on, but it is perfectly possible—especially for institutions offering distance learning courses, for example.

6.    Productivity and agility in processes

Digitizing and implementing academic management systems enables educational institutions to operate more like businesses—at least, of course, in the administrative aspects of their operations.

That is, with the use of capable data centers and integrated systems, you can automate various tasks and optimize student services.

Here is an example:

With technology in education, students don’t need to go to the registrar’s office to sign up for classes.

All they have to do is go on the portal and, with just a few clicks, their receipt is on their mobile device, ready to use!

7.    Immediate feedback and interactions

With prompt feedback, everything changes. Business management and educators themselves can understand in detail the progress of each student in the subjects studied.

This allows for even greater personalization of each individual’s learning journey. Access to data-driven feedback updated in real time is one of the advances that breaks down the traditional barriers to communication between students and teachers.

8.    Preparing for a digital job market

With the constant advancement of technology, digital skills are increasingly valued in virtually all sectors.

The job market is no longer accepting job seekers who lack digital skills. More than that, it requires critical thinking, autonomy, collaboration, and technological fluency.

What are the challenges of using technology in education?

The main challenges of using technology in education include unequal access to digital tools, lack of infrastructure in institutions, the need for ongoing training for educators, and adapting teaching methodologies to the digital environment.

But that’s just scratching the surface.

Yes, technology broadens horizons. But it also highlights inequalities. You can’t just hand out tablets if the connection keeps dropping. You can’t just talk about innovation if teachers don’t even know where to start.

What is lacking are more accessible paths, training that makes sense for those on the front lines, and institutional courage to change what no longer works.

Overcoming these barriers requires more than resources—it requires vision, intentionality, and purposeful investment. Because technology alone is not transformative. But with the right strategy and qualified personnel, it opens doors that previously seemed closed.

What educational technologies can be applied?

The most widely used educational technologies today include online teaching platforms, academic management software, virtual learning environments, augmented and virtual reality resources, automated assessment systems, artificial intelligence, digital whiteboards, and communication apps for students and parents.

But the choice is not about “having technology.” It’s about making it an ally of what really matters: learning.

Innovation is in the details. It’s behind the scenes and in the classroom.

It’s in the system that records student progress in real time. In the app that tells parents whether an assignment was handed in. In the platform that connects students to content that is relevant to their lives.

From simple tools to immersive experiences, the list of possibilities grows every day—and only those with the right infrastructure in place can keep up with this pace without stumbling.

Technology: the foundation for tomorrow’s education

Embracing technology in education goes beyond simple modernization; it puts institutions at the forefront of an increasingly dynamic market.

As we have seen, there are numerous benefits, ranging from data security and management to personalized learning. Institutions that welcome this revolution also strengthen their operations, ensuring greater sustainability and relevance in today’s educational landscape.

However, technological evolution does not stop there. New developments continue to emerge, shaping the future of many other industries.

As a leading provider of data centers and connectivity in Latin America, Ascenty is at the forefront of these changes, providing the infrastructure necessary for institutions to keep pace with this digital transformation in a secure and efficient manner.

Finally, if you want to know what the next big innovations are that could have an even greater impact on education and other sectors, check out the 25 most promising emerging technologies. Access the full article here and stay up to date with the latest trends!