Technology has changed many things in past few years. One of these things is the classroom.
In the previous era, students were primarily concerned about bringing their textbooks, notebooks, paper and pens in their backpacks. Now the most important items include the iPad, Smartphones, and the like. Technology really has become central in schools and their classrooms.
Particularly, educators are allowing mobile devices like laptops and iPads in the classroom to assist in their learning. Since these devices are essentially a part of these students’ lives, we now need to catch up with the trend. Many educators have noticed that adding these tools has significantly increased student engagement. A lot of classrooms in the US are now implementing a bring your own device (BYOD) plan to make us of these technological learning tools.
Here are other ways how technology is currently changing classroom learning:
- Education goes beyond the classroom walls.
With the addition of devices like the iPad, students are not restricted to the computer laboratory anymore. When the teacher gives the assignment, students are now able to work on them at home, on the sidewalk, in the park, or wherever they may happen to be. The portable nature of technology is currently bridging the gap between the classroom and home learning.
- Textbooks are increasingly going extinct.
There used to be a time when covering books with plastic covers was a common activity for school goers. The extinction of this ritual is rapidly happening, as textbooks are becoming obsolete. With the increasing use of mobile devices like Smartphones and iPads, eBooks are becoming the new trend. This is actually a good thing since eBooks are more accessible, affordable, and quick to update by publishers.
- Teacher and student roles are evolving.
The traditional roles of teachers are advancing. There was a time when students were passive listeners of every lecture. Now the students are becoming more actively engaged. This allows the teacher to change their roles from dispensing all of his/her information to facilitating student learning.
- Classrooms are turning collaborative.
Technology plays a significant role in this. The use of chat, video calls and such allows students to easily collaborate with other students or teachers. Even social media platforms such as Facebook helps in the process.
- Technology allows teachers to give a more personalized approach to learning.
Lessons provided by teachers can now be molded to fit each student’s learning profile. This allows students to learn at their own time and pace.
Final Thoughts
These five points are only a few of the many examples of how technology is changing the course of classroom education. The list is actually longer in reality, and will certainly get longer in the future. Technology is now an inclusion of classroom essentials.
If your school has not integrated mobile technology yet to its wireless network, it may be important to consider implementing. Including mobile technology to your classrooms are not just cool additions for the academe. Evidently it is the future of classroom learning.