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What are the ways to integrate technology into the classroom?
Incorporating technology into the classroom is a way that teachers incorporate some type in their instruction to help improve the learning experience of their students. The technology can be as basic as a data projection system or displaying videos or presentations to as complex as an assessment tool that is based on apps. Research has proven that technology can increase students’ engagement and inspires teachers to look at innovative ways to teach. Virtual classrooms, also known as virtual learning environment could be considered to be one of the outcomes of integrating technology into the teaching and learning process. Technology can be seen as the foundation within which education is conducted.
What makes integrating technology into the classroom essential?
Marc Andreessen famously wrote an article that was titled Why Software is Taking Over The World. Students and teachers are both members of a society that is fast becoming digital. From health to finance and everything else in between, our world is powered by technology. Teachers must take advantage of digital tools and adapt their teaching practices to reap from the benefits of these tools. It is ideal to integrate this into the curriculum, giving students a variety of ways to engage with educational content that improve their learning outcomes. If face-to-face instruction isn’t feasible, technology can facilitate interaction between students and teachers and enhances the relationship. Certain kinds of platforms permit collaboration between students, peer-to-peer learning, or group work.
What are the teachers’ experiences with technology within the school?
Technology has been to teach in some schools for a long time and is still being used in some classrooms. Imagine the unnoticeable calculator used in the math or science classes. The overhead projector that some teachers were able to use. Nowadays, there’s many choices available to tech-savvy teachers. The smartboard or data projector is the norm in all classrooms. Teachers also have an laptop they can prepare their lessons and make presentation for classes. When permitted by school rules teachers may make use of smartphones or clickers to gauge the temperature of a class.
A short quiz or survey can tell a teacher if their students understand the subject. A few schools have set up WiFi networks and purchased Chromebooks which have opened up opportunities for online research and using platforms like Google Classroom. Teachers can make use of interactive simulations to show the workings of engines as well as conduct an chemistry test that are more sophisticated range.
What are some examples of technology incorporate used in the classroom?
- Gamification of learning is the way in where goals and challenges are used to achieve learning goals. Students are able to earn badges through playing against one another and a scoreboard that lists the student’s achievements may be shown.
- Certain of the material is made available under the Creative Commons license, meaning that you can ask your students to modify or remix the content in the course of your field excursion. Google Arts and Culture have an impressive collection of museums to explore online and the top tourist places to visit across the world.
- Feedback from students – for all of us who’ve been in front of a class One of the primary questions we ask ourselves is whether our students have understood what they’ve been taught. Digital tools like apps for mobile phones allow this kind of feedback via a quick quiz or an assessment system.
- Classroom calendars online – A classroom calendar is an effective instrument to help students become more engaged in the world of digital technology. They’re helpful and simple to use. You can upload any relevant files like files to your calendar.
- PowerPoint and Google Slides – for teachers who have access to a projector with data PowerPoint presentations are a great method of structuring the class or to introduce an subject. Animations, video, and images can be all added to the slides used in presentations. Students are also asked to record their thoughts on an animated slideshow. They can then use this to share with the class.
- Research assignments for homework The internet is among one of the best research tools available. Homework assignments can inspire students to study a subject and then summarize their findings and then present their findings to their teacher or fellow students. They also require a certain knowledge of the internet or media as well as an understanding of the sources are considered appropriate for make use of.
- Grading or online assessment systems for digital assessment have the possibility of reducing teacher’s time, and giving them immediate feedback on the performance of students. Quizzes that are quick can help teachers determine how technology used within the school has transformed the way that teachers and students communicate. Email, instant messaging and video calls have all contributed to the way teachers can share information with their students and also how students can communicate or collaborate with one another to aid in learning.
- Platforms and online resources like the internet-based repository or platform, course or e-book, allows teachers to assign extra or remedial tasks for students. Students can learn at their own speed while also revising whenever required.
- Some teachers and schools are hesitant about making use of technology in classrooms. Concerns about distraction are legitimate however, a skilled teacher can utilize social media to help encourage students to learn. For instance, students can investigate popular hashtags in order to observe trends in popular media or in popular culture. Students are also encouraged to develop their own hashtags in order to be able to share their work and talk about their ideas with one another.
How can technology improve the learning process and teaching?
If digital resources are made available to classes, students are able to proceed through the course at their own speed. In some instances this could mean rereading an area they find difficult, or getting ahead of their peers on topics they know. This allows teachers to give individual attention whenever necessary. Technology can also aid in collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Students can collaborate to better understand concepts or a subject which is a highly effective way of solving problems.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing technology in the classroom?
Technology is changing how we live, work and even teach. Teachers and schools need to adopt technology and incorporate technology as much as they can in their teaching. Research has shown that most of the time it can enhance learning and teaching in the classroom, and increase the performance of students. However, in some cases, it could become a distraction.
What are the advantages of technology in the classroom?
Admin
The administrative burden on teachers increases each year. Digital tools like learning management systems, as well as online assessment could ease some of the work by automatically storing data about students like attendance as well as engagement and the results of class tests.
Data
When we interact with online platforms and leave behind an electronic shadow or a data trail. If we’re using a platform that tracks details on certain aspects of what happens, e.g. the results of class quizzes and presenting this information in a user-friendly dashboard. In this case the teacher will be able to see how the class is progressing and their understanding of homework covered, and students can keep track of their progress.
Engagement
Studies, both qualitative as well as quantitative, have demonstrated an increase in engagement of students due to the introduction of technology in classrooms and other digital tools. Teachers are trying out new methods to plan and design lessons, and students reaching their learning goals or, in certain instances improved efficiency.
Collaboration
If you’ve ever worked on remote teams and collaborated across multiple documents in the cloud is a real advantage of modern technology. Students can edit live and comments to documents or files shared and then respond immediately. This technology can be used to create innovative methods for group assignments and classes.
Communication
Digital communication tools facilitate rapid and simple conversations between students and teachers as well as groups or classes. Instant messaging, email as well as shared calendars or discussion groups can be used to deliver individual, targeted communication to students or group messaging to the entire class. These tools can also be used to run peer review sessions or peer-to-peer learning sessions as well as to enhance teacher-parent communication.
Resources
The amount of digital resources that teachers can access is overwhelming. From e-books to courses, OERs designed specifically for educational purposes to YouTube and podcasts which can be integrated into an educational lesson, the possibilities are limitless. The job of a teacher is one of deciding and assembling these online resources to improve their teaching.
What are the drawbacks of technology in the classroom?
Cheating
Certain digital devices, including the use of mobile phone and text messaging could be vulnerable to being used as a cheating tool in a exam or test. Teachers must be aware of these risks and take steps to minimize them.
Costs
Technology is costly especially when it comes to setting up the infrastructure required to provide technology for classrooms for example, wireless networks or devices to students. The cost of these devices can be lowered by implementing a bring your own device policy at the school. Operating expenses that are ongoing, such as maintenance and data needs be planned for on a regular basis.
Disconnection
Students may shut off their cameras in video calls or begin surfing through another application during the middle of the class. Teachers should keep an eye on this issue and monitor the students’ engagement levels, which can be a difficult task when it comes to presenting lessons and coordinating the digital resources required.
Distraction
The web has been described as a tool for distraction. In a matter of minutes after logging on to an online class the student may be sifting through YouTube videos, or watching TikTok or chatting with friends online. Certain schools have ring-fenced the apps students are able to use in class to tackle this issue, however it’s difficult to manage this when students are working on their own with homework assignments.
Training and management
Digital platforms like learning management systems require continuous monitoring, particularly when they’re hosted on the server of the school. E-books as well as commercial educational content have the process of licensing and activation which can be difficult to understand. In addition teachers and students have to be taught how to work with new platforms and tools that can take some time.
Technological inequalities
Within school districts, or in schools too, there may be differences between students in regards to their access to technology to and have a familiarity with. For instance, one student might have broadband at home as well as their own laptop, whereas another student has to use computer lab in the school to complete their work. Teachers’ responsibility is to establish the baseline of their class and then build from there to ensure that no student is unfairly disfavored.
Privacy
The reverse of monitoring and using data from students to improve the administration of classes and measure performance is that the school or teacher is accountable for protecting the data. Different countries will have different regulations regarding data, and the laws must be adhered to. A breach of data can be detrimental to parents and the schools’ use of technology in general.
