Making use of technology in a classroom setting goes beyond teaching students how to use a computer. In today’s society, increased reliance on technology and the internet means there are more options available for teaching strategies.
However, the idea that technology is more distracting in a learning environment than helpful continues to prevail.
But as teachers look for new ways to help their students learn, the benefits of technology in the classroom are becoming more apparent.
Using Technology Encourages Learning
The primary advantages of technology in education are:
- It helps students improve their abilities
- It increases student engagement
Portable gadgets, computers, laptops, digital calculators, and various other materials all aid in effective learning.
Mathematics and science are topics that need an incredible amount of concentration. Many students feel that math and science are both the most challenging subjects in school, so it can be important for teachers to find gadgets and tools that help make learning not only easier but fun. Educational technology instills a sense of confidence in students about their ability to study.
Instructors also benefit from educational technology’s simplicity with which they can explain and show topics. They can create a variety of quizzes and include educational activities in the learning process.
Different activities that are set up for students can help them learn how to use the technology as well as a school subject. Not only can they become excited about the subject, but they can also gain confidence by mastering the skills of the technology itself.
Students that discover a new, more interesting way to learn a difficult subject can excel and therefore begin to enjoy themselves. Enjoyment makes it easier for them to solve complex problems they may have previously struggled with.
Technology Benefits Every Student
Technology can be a beneficial learning tool for students of any age. However, introducing technology to younger students is most helpful when the concern is accessibility.
If a child struggles with communication, technology can give them the necessary tools to be more present in a classroom. For instance, if a child learns to read later than their peers, or if they are slow to develop speaking skills, technology can provide support in both these cases.
Teachers can use certain apps and games to improve a child’s reading ability. Likewise, other applications help young students communicate by using pictures they can point to.
Technology can continue to provide accessibility as students age. However, it can also provide more resources and learning tools for older students, including:
- Communication tools (email, discussion boards, etc.)
- Learning management systems
- Online tutoring
- Educational games
- One-on-one learning
For high school or college students, having online resources means they can gain more information on a subject than they might in an hour of class time. Additional readings online can give context to a subject without the student needing to buy another textbook.
Other tools are available for free with online learning technology as well. For instance, online calculators can save students money if they do not need to purchase physical ones. Online calculators that are particularly high functioning, such as an online significant figures calculator, are often a much more convenient option than a non-online choice.
An online significant figures calculator not only saves students money but also reduces the risk of a wasteful purchase. For instance, if a student buys a highly advanced calculator and only uses it for one class, his or her purchase will likely go on to gather dust or end up in the garbage. By instead using online calculators, a student can utilize them when needed, and afterward, they are still available for other students.
Similarly, schools that use technology in their classrooms can benefit students from lower-income households. A lower-income household might not have electronic devices or even the internet, meaning the children who live there will not have the same opportunities to learn the technology. But by providing both internet and computers or similar devices at school, these students will receive more learning opportunities.
Online tutoring can also prove useful to students of all ages. Students can receive extra attention without taking away from classroom time. Online tutoring can also operate differently from normal tutoring practices. For instance, they allow the student to learn at their own pace, which might be a few minutes here and there instead of an entire hour.
Online Tools Help With Collaborations
Through online communication tools, students have a platform to learn how to engage and collaborate with others. Technology-based exercises prepare students to communicate with experienced peers and obtain assistance from them. Chat rooms and discussion boards also allow students to connect over projects or check each other’s work.
Similarly, older students have the chance to become tutors and mentors through online education tools. These tools can help encourage leadership and collaboration skills, allowing students to develop as team players.
Technology Creates an Interactive Classroom
Some students may learn better through interactive lessons instead of long lectures. Technology in the classroom can encourage more interaction, especially through educational games. Several students at a time can potentially use interactive apps to learn as a group or individually.
Interactive tools like Smart Boards or interactive projectors can also help students engage in the material. A class that comes together as a group to solve problems can see the outcome more decisively. They can also work through several steps together to understand where they might have gone wrong. This interactive aspect can lead to increased collaboration and teamwork skills.
Summing It Up
Technology has changed the way classrooms operate, with more resources becoming available for more students. Classes are becoming more interactive and collaborative, while online tools have made communication and understanding more accessible to some students.
Resources like additional readings or online calculators also provide solutions for students to gain more while spending less. If you have not yet thought about using the latest technology and online calculators for a math class, it is time to consider it.
