Empowering education involves creating a supportive learning environment that fosters skills like critical thinking and independence. Using technology to help enable students makes it possible for teachers to offer a more diverse curriculum.
For example, modern classrooms allow students to collaborate with classmates worldwide. Online tools like video conferencing and collaborative editing apps help students develop communication and teamwork skills essential in any work environment.
It Allows Students to Take Charge of Their Learning
Students have access to information 24/7 through their smartphones. This means that they can research topics and study at their own pace. If they have questions, they can contact their teacher via online platforms or chat apps, even when they are not in class. This can be an excellent way for them to reinforce concepts and work through complex parts of a lesson.
Additionally, technology tools in classrooms allow for virtual field trips and interactive learning experiences. These can be useful for students who cannot travel or are interested in expanding their learning beyond what is offered in their local schools. This can also help students struggling with language barriers by allowing them to interact with peers from other countries.
Students’ perspectives on technology can make or break its success in the classroom. It is essential to consider the tool’s attributes, including how easy it is for teachers and students and whether or not it possesses all the components necessary to meet student-centered learning goals (Mistler-Jackson & Songer, 2000). Ideally, students will perceive these tools as engaging, helpful, and valuable to their learning. They will be much more likely to adopt and use these tools if allowed to.
Technology Improves Communication
Most students today grew up in an environment heavily dependent on technology, so naturally, they would be comfortable using the same tools in the classroom. It allows them to easily communicate with teachers and classmates, regardless of their location. This has helped improve communication and foster student community, essential for effective learning.
In addition, many students can access resources and materials online that they wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to experience. This has opened up new possibilities, allowing students to learn about the human body in 3D or take virtual field trips to different places and times.
As these tools continue to develop and become more affordable, they will likely play an even more significant role in classrooms. This includes programs allowing one-way communication between teachers and parents/students or full-fledged chat platforms that can be used for collaborative learning.
Many education experts also note that technology can help increase student engagement. This is especially true for digital games, which can convey new information in a way that’s more appealing to students than reading from a textbook or listening to a lecture. Similarly, some games’ competitive elements can help students work harder to succeed.
It allows for Differentiation.
Educators understand that differentiating instruction is essential to cultivate relevant skills that benefit students for the rest of their lives. However, incorporating technology tools to support the process can be challenging. Differentiation is an ongoing cycle of assessing student needs, planning and delivering lessons that address those needs, and then re-evaluating student progress to ensure the effectiveness of instructional strategies.
The right technology can make it easy for teachers to differentiate their learning experiences and give students a dynamic, personalized education. However, integrating a new tool requires experimentation and exploration to see how it can be used best. Teachers who used digital tools during the pandemic know that before a new device can become an integral part of classroom teaching, it must be tried to understand its limitations and opportunities for improvement.
Technology can also help students collaborate and communicate with their peers. Online learning platforms, like Edmodo and social media, can allow students to interact with their classmates in a virtual setting. This can enable them to share ideas and ask questions while collaborating on projects or presentations. It can also help students build interpersonal skills they will need in their future careers. Finally, educational software can streamline feedback by allowing students to receive quick and meaningful assessments, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
It Helps Students Remediate or Expand Their Knowledge
When it comes to boosting learning, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why integrating technology into the classroom can help educators provide more personalized support for students with unique needs. For example, an instructional insight solution like Explorance Blue can identify student needs based on real-time feedback and provide instructors with actionable insights.
Another way technology helps to improve learning is by providing additional resources for students to access outside of the classroom. This includes practice exercises, video platforms, and interactive tools allowing students to collaborate. Many of these tools are accessible on mobile devices, which means students can use them anywhere.
For example, video platforms give students access to various educational videos that can supplement classroom instruction. These videos can help students practice skills, build their vocabulary, and get a head start on upcoming assignments. They can also help students with difficult-to-understand topics or subject matter.
In addition, online resources can be used to help students with disabilities. Adaptive software and word processors that detect spelling mistakes can make it easier for students with special needs to participate in class without feeling out of place.
Conclusion
Lastly, technology can also help teachers streamline the feedback process. Tools such as classroom response systems and workflow tools can automate repetitive tasks, summarize rubric elements, and provide basic machine-generated assessments to free up time for teachers to focus on giving constructive feedback to students.
