We have already spoken a lot about the role of technology and its use today and in the future of the education system.
We are in the 21st century, and teachers today are using different classroom technologies like smart boards, tablet computers, smartphones, projectors, digital videos, and games which are great tools for helping students learn in the 21st century.
Few people do talk about teaching and pedagogy being the first step and technology being the second (only if needed), which is right in its sense because technology as an aid should solve problems for students and teachers. But here we cover some top reasons to say “Yes” to technology integration in education.
The following reasons would answer “Why technology should be used in classrooms?”
Students Love Technology
Students love using new technologies in the classroom. The interest of students in technology allows teachers to vary activities of the day and engage students.
Students spend hours using smartphones, and other technologies like laptop, tablets and television when they get home from school–why not channelize their learning through these devices.
Collaboration Power
The power of internet for collaboration is not new to the world today; it provides a unique opportunity to engage a group of students. Whether it is to read along to an audio book, storytelling, viewing video lectures, clearing doubts, testing listening skills, or doing a custom activity, there are so many useful tools for student-to-student and student-to-teacher interaction and collaborative learning.
Real-Time Communication
Some areas of study like language learning and special education spend more time on auditory listening skills due to the nature of study. This provides students an opportunity to hear native speakers have a conversation and helps students learn the best way possible–experiencing real life. Good tools like Starfall and Babbel are of great help to students for language learning.
Learn from the Real-World Experts
The sky is the limit for connecting students to real world experts. We have written about how students can use tools like twitter for research. And withthe growth of open online resources, MOOCs, you can engage your students with content from the smartest and best teachers in the world. With the help of podcasts , and free online videos in the digital age, learning never stops.
Professional Development
Using new technologies allow students to learn another skill set that will help them in their future. But it is not only students who benefit from technology, even the teachers are using technology for their own development. We have already written about how we can use Google Hangout for Teacher Development.
The edtech industry is only getting bigger, and the educational institutions with the help of edtech professionals should utilize it properly for the development of their students and teachers so that they can better know and understand technology and its role in education (teaching and learning).
Makes Life Easier for Teachers
Teachers have a variety of tasks outside of teaching including planning lessons, attendance and grading, meeting with parents, and some administrative work. For which they can be organized and use tools like Learnboost, Engrade, BetterLesson, EduCreations, and Eliademy to ease their tasks.
Helps to Make Learning Fun
The use of technology in education can also help make learning fun through gamification, game-based learning or quest-based learning. Educators in schools and colleges who have practiced game-based learning have been mesmerized to see the results.
Encourages Homework
Teachers, who never could believe that students can be encouraged for their homework, now believe it. Yes, and this is the reason why teachers should be encouraged for flipping their classrooms. With the concept of Flipped Classroom, students overcome barriers during the class quickly by remove frustration and irritation that sometimes develop in the learning process. Teachers are using various tools like TEDEd and Khan Academy to flip their lessons and have time in the classroom to clear the doubts and try hands on.
Students who want to go home and unwind after school are not usually eager to put their head in a book but would rather spend time on the internet playing games. So why can’t we channelize the learning process of students through the internet and games. Students today need to be surrounded by good teachers wherever they go, whether physically or virtually, so use of social media in education here plays a vital role to stay connected with your students and encourage them for their homework with guidance.
Saves Money in the Long Run
Although using new technology normally has an initial investment, it will save schools by multiplying the number of teachers in a classroom. Instead of having one teacher teaching twenty students, adding technology will increase the number of functional-teachers in your classroom and free up the real teacher to answer questions and help students. And with the ability to use free content online, teachers will not need to spend as much on curriculum or resources.
Here’s an infographic showing why technology should be used in education.
“Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who don’t use technology will be replaced by those who do.”
What are your reasons to use or not to use technology in education?
