The emergence of innovative technologies and its smooth integration with education system has transformed the teaching-learning process. In so many educational institutions, technology is identified as an instructional tool.
The budding list of technology tools are helping educators acclimate to innovative and much efficient teaching platforms.
From interactive whiteboards, iPads, podcasting, web-based software to video conferencing tools, various other educational technological tools are becoming vital for the advancement of education and career development. Educational technology enables faster feedback, effective collaborative efforts between a vast group of people and much more.
Regardless of socio-economic and geographical barriers, cutting-edge technological tools and applications have enabled the emergence of new learning opportunities which encourage student growth and achievement. Plethora of benefits associated with educational technology has enabled so many educational institutions to integrate technology in learning environment.
Still, many teachers and educators are not much familiar with the strategies and approaches that enable efficient integration of technology into their regular academic modules. This article focuses on some of the approaches to implement technology can be implemented to promote student’s achievement at a rapid pace.
Interactive Learning with Webquest:
Integration of the power of web with instructional design methods makes a Webquest. This superb tool for learning stimulates creative and critical thinking among learners and can be created using various applications including a simple word processing document incorporating links to websites. There are loads of already-constructed Webquest, an ideal way for the teachers is to begin integration of internet searches into their curriculum.
Better Understanding with Flipped Classroom:
The technological approach followed in flipped classrooms enables the learners to engage creatively and actively in the subject matter. Flipped classrooms create a dynamic learning environment. This interactive model of teaching supports online discussions; watch lecture videos and enables students to get instant feedback. There are various tools which can be used for flipped learning. Camtasia, Wikispaces, EdModo, Moodle can help students to gain a much productive learning experience.
Create Better Reports with Online Grading System:
Irrespective of the size of the institution online grading system gives flexibility to create reports easily anywhere, anytime. Web-based gradebooks support automatic grade monitoring, calculate final grades, percentage grades, compile reports on progress of student, record attendance and seating charts, email reporting to parents and allows parents to view data in seamless, real-time environment. There are several sites which offer online grading system.
Deliver Content Effectively with Podcasting:
Podcasts offer several educational benefits. Podcasts enable the access to information anywhere, anytime. Students can record lessons and upload it online, easily share information with their peers, access previous lectures for clarification and reference, get notifications and updates on subscribed particular podcasts. Podcasts can be integrated into classrooms with help of certain tools and such tools can also be used to create own podcasts with images and audios.
Widen the Scope of Learning with Class Blogs or Wikis:
New avenues for discussion can be created with class blogs or wikis. It promotes outside-of-class discussion. Browser-based editing applications wikis allow users to contribute their knowledge and thus, encourage collaborative learning. It stimulates reflective and thoughtful writing among students. It offers students to write and reflect knowledge in networked environments.
Creative Learning Experience with Social Media:
In recent years, Moodle has gained immense popularity in educational institutions as a medium to share course information and lecture notes. Assignments can be uploaded, can be used as a chat forum to interact with lecturers, and with other students. It allows smooth integration with social media services which enables lecturers and educators to push the content automatically to apps like LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
Structured-Learning with Electronic Portfolios:
Digital portfolios enable students to summarize, share and organize ideas and information about teaching and/or learning creatively. Electronic portfolios are a dynamic means to learn. E-portfolios can be created in many ways. Dedicated software services and programs or simple (and free) blogging platforms can be used to develop digital portfolios. They offer robust outreach and a cost-effective way to learn.
Technology can play an imperative role in education, encouraging learners to gain a better learning experience. Implementing technology effectively in education system can benefit learners and the future workforce in many ways. Educational technology has wiped out the need for cramming and ardently copying down the instructors’ words.
Integrating technology in education has improved the teaching capabilities of teachers and learning capacities of the students as a tool. Educational technology fulfills the quest for knowledge anywhere, promotes rich, relevant and real learning experience. The landscape of technology offers collaborative learning tools, fosters meaningful interaction among students, generates better learning outcomes, promotes comprehensive learning, and ensures students take away a better learning experience.
