We might not completely recognize them yet, but the benefits of using technology in education are exponential. Since we live in a fast-moving world, incorporating technology in the classroom is not just an option, but a necessity.
Students have grown up in an environment dominated by innovation and apps. Because of this, every gadget they own is their window into the real world. From learning to social life, students of all ages rely on technology for so many things.
10 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom
In this day and age, technology seems to have overtaken every aspect of our lives. We tend to use gadgets daily, from work and school requirements to our social interactions and everything in between. While there have been many opinions on whether our dependence on technology is beneficial or not, it’s clear to see how many opportunities it opens up, especially within the classroom setting.
That being said, discover the top 10 benefits of using technology in the classroom...
1. It Enhances Student Interaction and Engagement
Compared to old textbooks, many experts believe that technology can increase student interaction and engagement. By this point, technology is already well-integrated into every student’s life. Because of this, they feel much more comfortable and confident using devices that they’re familiar with.
In addition, when schools promote a 1:1 device-to-student ratio, every student can have equal opportunities to participate. With the availability of various interactive programs and software, students can share their thoughts and respond to questions in more ways than one.
What’s more, teachers can further enhance their curriculum by gamifying learning. They can offer incentives like earning badges or going through levels of competencies to encourage more fun and engaging student participation.
2. It Offers New Learning Techniques
In relation to the previous point, technology opens doors to new learning techniques. There are several educational mobile apps that offer new ways of teaching students a broad spectrum of principles, ranging from English, literature, and science to math and problem-solving.
According to several learning theories, puzzles, word searches, and other games can stimulate brain activity that can allow students to look at and solve problems from different perspectives. The best part is, many of these apps and programs are free, so teachers and students alike can benefit from more engaging learning techniques without the added cost.
3. It Encourages Differentiation
By now, we know that not all students learn the same way. Likewise, not all students are stimulated by the same topics. Through technology, they can have access to a wide range of programs and research sources with just a simple click of a button. Teachers, on the other hand, can further encourage their students to write about topics that they’re interested in to expand their knowledge. In doing so, they can ensure that the students get to do what they love while learning substantial information in the process.
4. It Encourages More Collaboration
In addition, technology allows for more convenient collaboration. Software and programs like Google docs, Google slides, Canva, etc. make it easier for students to share their work with their peers and allow anyone with access to either comment, edit, or suggest. What’s impressive about this innovation is that it can save work in real-time. This means that the students can keep track of all the changes and check if everything is in order.
5. It Boosts Productivity and Creativity
Because of its built-in digital tools, it comes as no surprise that technology can boost productivity for teachers and students alike. On the one hand, it enables teachers to manage and keep track of all the school requirements with so much more ease. On the other hand, it allows students to create high-quality presentations and well-researched papers with utmost convenience.
Not only that, but technology can also boost creativity. It encourages teachers to find new ways to deliver their lectures in a way that will grab (and retain) their students’ attention. Likewise, it inspires students to explore a wide range of content to enhance their education.
Whether they are interested in arts, music, history, videos, sports, or virtually any other topic, they can easily find plenty of helpful resources online like editing software, podcasts, educational videos, and so much more. As a result, they can venture into different creative outlets to discover something interesting and hone their skills, which can be used in and out of the classroom.
6. It Makes Mobile Learning More Accessible
Students spend only a limited time in a day in the classroom. During their time there, they can only learn so much. But what if they get the chance to extend their learning time after school? There are so many more learning opportunities outside of the classroom that students can benefit from.
The world is their oyster, and they can gain so much valuable knowledge just from searching through the web or downloading educational apps.
Many of these apps have embedded audio or video footage that can explain a topic more clearly than perhaps traditional textbooks can. That said, they can learn even on the go, which is a great way to maximize their time and also boost their productivity. Plus, having an app conveniently stored in a mobile device is more portable, making it nearly impossible to leave behind (unlike textbooks that are bulky and heavy).
Since apps can be accessed through any device, so long as the student has a device on hand, they can actively learn at any time, any place. And with Chargetech's charging carts, students can keep their devices charged during the school day or on weekends, then bring it home to work on fully charged.
7. It Decreases Paperwork for Teachers
As a teacher, doing paperwork is arguably one of the most time-consuming responsibilities you have to accomplish. Not only do you need to sift through hundreds of papers regularly, but you also need to organize them and ensure that they’re filed properly.
By leveraging technology for this administrative task, you can reduce the amount of time spent rummaging through hundreds of papers and divert your time and attention to tasks that matter more.
What’s great about having technology’s help in this endeavor is that it does a lot more than organize papers. It has smart features that can analyze the data from all your students and give you a comprehensive report. In doing so, you can better gauge student progress or learning difficulties and modify your program to fit their current level. This information allows you to customize their education to see better results in the future.
8. It Collects Essential Data
In the same light, classroom apps like Google Drive, OneDrive, and other cloud-based software can easily collect data for easy access. Depending on your institution’s plan, you can have almost unlimited storage space for hundreds — if not thousands — of documents per school year.
These apps allow you to organize paperwork in a way that boosts efficiency. For example, you can assign separate folders for separate grade levels. Alternatively, you can assign different folders for different subjects. And, if you want to, you can even grant limited access to your students.
When you give them homework, they can submit their papers or presentations directly in the folder for easier organization. This will make your job as a teacher that much simpler.
9. It Helps the Staff and Students Stay Updated
Should there be an urgent announcement or an emergency, institutions can use the online platform or apps to update staff and students alike. They can use either social media, email blasts, websites, or a combination of all three to alert all parties involved about certain events, important information, and the latest news. This is the fastest way to keep everyone informed and connected.
If students or parents have any concerns, they can directly reach out to their respective teachers or administrators for quick responses. This will decrease communication gaps between the school and the students so everyone is in the know, should anything occur.
But besides special events and announcements, these platforms can be used for daily activities. Teachers can share class calendars so all the students are aware of homework assignment due dates and in-class activities. Having this essential information can help them plan ahead of time and prepare properly for school. As a result, they can avoid extra stress and make sure that they’re on top of all their requirements.
10. It Prepares Students for their Future Workplaces
Another great reason why technology is beneficial in the classroom is that it can prepare students for the real world. Gadgets offer so many features that can teach students new life skills. From digital collaboration and productivity to gaining leadership and effective communication skills, there are so many lessons that every student can learn with the help of technology that traditional methods cannot offer.
These practical life skills, while useful inside the classroom, can be applied even outside of it. They can use their new-found knowledge in other aspects of their life such as networking, researching, presenting, and connecting with other people. These skills will help them prepare for the future when they venture into their different career paths.
The advances in technology are coming in strong and fast. It’s important for teachers to adapt their classroom settings to meet these ever-changing behaviors and help students prepare for what is ahead of them.
Different Types of Technology for the Classroom
There are several types of technology that you can integrate with the classroom to promote better and more efficient learning. Among the many devices, laptops and tablets are arguably two of the most common gadgets, but they’re not the only ones available.
Besides these, there are a wide array of technological advancements you can introduce in a classroom setting. Below are some examples.
Smartboards
Chalkboards and blackboards are a thing of the past. In today’s day and age, smartboards are the new classroom essential. This type of device allows teachers to not only project slides, but also show web pages and textbook examples more quickly and conveniently. In addition, it offers an engaging visual experience for students more than simple words on a page.
Virtual or Augmented Reality
With the rising popularity of video games and advanced technologies, students have a much higher standard when it comes to automating education. Besides smartboards, laptops, and tablets, they are looking for something more interesting and exciting that can truly capture their attention. Virtual or augmented reality can do just that.This tool is especially useful if you need to simulate a certain scenario for your students. Say, for example, operating on a virtual patient for those in the medical field or taking them back through historical landmarks for art and history majors. There are several ways to incorporate AR or VR into the classroom, and it will make learning more engaging.
3D Printing
For students in architecture or engineering, having a 3D printer in the classroom can help them build a design from scratch. With a 3D printer, they can easily create prototypes and watch these prototypes come to life. It’s a great way to train them for their future careers.
Portable Chargers
You can’t have these devices without portable chargers in your classroom. These chargers will make sure that your devices are on high power so your lectures don’t get disrupted by low batteries.
Disinfecting Cabinets
As important as it is to provide students with the technology they need to learn, it’s also necessary to create a safe and healthy environment for them. One thing you need to incorporate in the classroom is a disinfection cabinet where they can sanitize their devices before and after class. This will destroy any bacteria and prevent anyone from getting contaminated.
Get Your Chargers at Chargetech
Make sure that all your devices are all ready to go with our chargers at Chargetech. We have a wide range of products that can help make your classroom as efficient as possible. From our portable charger options and portable power sources to protective and sanitation accessories, we have everything you need to ensure that your lectures go smoothly.To curb distractions and interruptions in class, check out Chargetech's new charging lockers for students to keep their phones in and charged during class. For any of your charging needs, Chargetech has you covered!
