As the world changes, so do the methods we use to educate students. It’s no secret that technological developments have been coming at a rapid pace in the past few decades, and because of that, educational technology is changing.
Incorporating technology into the classroom can benefit and support learning and teaching practices. But what makes it so beneficial to the learning experience? How can instructors incorporate technology into their own curriculum?
Read on to learn more about the benefits of technology in the classroom and how it can be integrated in unique and effective ways!
Benefits of Technology in the Classroom
Why is technology important in the classroom? The advantages of technology continue to evolve, but here are a few of the positive developments of technology in the classroom!
1. Provides A More Engaged Learning Environment
One significant benefit of integrating technology in course design is that it helps to create a more engaging learning environment for students. It’s hard to deny the impact that technology has had on the way we teach and learn.
Technology can help teachers to present subjects in more interactive and creative ways. With all the possibilities out there (and with more on the way with advancements like virtual reality) it’s an intriguing time to be a teacher planning a course.
2. Prepares Students for the Future
Technology is everywhere, which is why it’s important that it plays a part in students’ current learning environment. Using technology when you teach will help students to become more familiar with common programs that they will use in their future careers.
Teachers aim to prepare their students, and a great way to do that is with technology. Since it will play a large role in their lives moving forward, students need to be able to understand the basics. The use of computers and the internet will be an integral part of their future professional and personal lives.
3. Connects Better with Students
One of the most important aspects to a teacher’s and student’s success is how well they can connect with each other. Teachers are always seeking ways to connect not only with their students but always with one another to build community in their courses
Technology provides teachers with an opportunity to connect with their students in a new way. It allows you to open up lines of communication and use the Internet to explain curriculum material in a new way, which can be very helpful to students.
Many students these days already gravitate towards the Internet, so by using these technologies in the classroom, you may increase opportunities to build community with your students.
4. Boosts Collaboration
An engaging learning environment requires a lot of collaboration. Technology is a great way to promote and facilitate discussion among students. They’ll interact with each other through the technology and discuss different ways they can collaborate and learn together.
Some students are gifted with computers, meaning it won’t be long until they learn some tricks of the trade and can help other students out with their assignments and tasks. This promotes a collaborative environment in the classroom, which in turn leads to a more connected community.
5. Supports Learning
Many students learn best when they have access to technology. To reach as many students as possible, it’s crucial that technology be incorporated into the course design.
Technology can offer a variety of teaching and learning techniques that can help teachers convey the subject material to a larger audience (more on that in a bit). The hope of many teachers is to reach as many students as they can, and technology provides a great solution for them.
Ideas for Integrating Technology in the Classroom
Now that we understand the advantages of technology, it’s time to come up with some ideas you can use with your students. Here are some great examples of ways to use technology in the classroom and how they can be used to promote an engaging learning environment!
1. Gamified Learning
Gamification has been shown to have an impact on a student’s learning and engagement because of how it helps to build a sense of achievement. Many students are motivated to move to the next lesson when they know they can achieve something along the way. Look around and see if there are any gamified learning opportunities for your subject material on the Internet — you’ll be surprised what’s out there!
2. Virtual Field Trips
In theory, field trips and tours are a good time and a great learning experience. Yet, planning them out and executing them can be a different story. Digital options now give students the same benefit of a field trip or tour without any of the hassle!
Better yet, digital field trips allow students to “visit” places that they wouldn’t have been able to before. It’s a great opportunity for them to “travel” globally. It also opens up a wide variety of possibilities for teachers to plan a fun and informative “trip”. Students could also use it to explore organizations they are interested in and interview professionals in their field of choice.
3. Create Student Websites
Not too long ago, having your own website wasn’t possible unless you had experience with coding or knew someone who did. Now, thanks to sites like Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly, it’s easier than ever for someone to create their own website.
Now that technology has improved, you could have your students create their own website for class! They can use the page to submit work, organize their files and information, and they can even personalize it to promote their creativity and give them a sense of pride. It’s a new take on notebooks and it can help your students start or add to their digital portfolio.
4. Online Discussion
Have you found it challenging to create a collaborative environment for your students? If so, then online discussions may be a great technological solution for you to try. Using a video app like Zoom, you can hold weekly discussion tables or office hours to make face-to-face contact easier.
An online discussion forumgives your students a place to get their questions answered — either from you, the teacher, or from the other students in the classroom. With this resource available to them, students can complete each lesson more and hear the insights from other students to make deeper connections with the material and their peers.
5. Use Social Media
Social media is already a big part of our lives, so some teachers choose to incorporate it into education! There are many different ways that you can use social media within a course — you could create a Facebook group for your class where students can ask questions, create a Twitter page for the class where you can update them on certain things, or you could even create an Instagram account where you could post video and photo-based lesson plans!
The goal of using social media within the learning process is to give students a place where they can go to communicate with one another. You can also use it as a place where you can answer any questions that they may have. At the end of the day, you’ll be bringing the community of the classroom to a place where many students already are.
Get Started with Lumen Learning
If you’re looking to get started using technology into your teaching, Lumen Learning is a good place to start. Lumen Learning has tools that will help you to improve both teaching and learning, including professional development opportunities to help you grow as a teacher. Learn more about how Lumen Learning can impact your teaching skills and online curriculum this year!
As an educational technology expert and enthusiast deeply immersed in the field, I have hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the transformative role that technology plays in modern classrooms. Throughout my career, I've actively engaged in various educational technology initiatives, conducted research, and collaborated with educators to integrate innovative technological solutions into learning environments.
The concepts mentioned in the article encompass a spectrum of educational technology components, each geared towards enhancing the teaching and learning experience:
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Engaged Learning Environment: Technology facilitates interactive and creative teaching methods. Concepts like Virtual Reality (VR) and interactive tools aid teachers in presenting subjects in engaging ways, fostering an active learning environment.
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Preparation for the Future: Integrating technology equips students with the skills necessary for their future careers. Exposure to common programs, computers, and the internet during their education prepares them for the technological landscape they'll encounter in their professional and personal lives.
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Improved Teacher-Student Connection: Technology offers new avenues for communication and explanation, enabling teachers to connect better with students. Leveraging the internet and technology helps in explaining curriculum materials in diverse and more accessible ways, thereby building stronger teacher-student relationships.
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Enhanced Collaboration: Technological tools promote collaboration among students, fostering discussions and sharing knowledge. Students proficient in technology can assist their peers, fostering a collaborative learning atmosphere, which strengthens the classroom community.
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Supports Diverse Learning Styles: Technology offers diverse teaching and learning techniques that cater to various learning styles. It allows educators to reach a broader audience and personalize learning experiences to suit individual student needs.
Furthermore, the article suggests specific strategies for integrating technology into the classroom:
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Gamified Learning: Utilizing gamification to create engaging learning experiences that motivate students through achievable milestones.
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Virtual Field Trips: Using digital resources to simulate field trips, providing students with global exposure and immersive learning experiences without logistical constraints.
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Student Websites: Encouraging students to create their own websites to organize work, showcase creativity, and build digital portfolios.
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Online Discussions: Leveraging video conferencing tools for discussions, enhancing communication, and facilitating deeper connections between students and course materials.
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Social Media Integration: Incorporating social media platforms as a means to foster communication, community building, and interactive learning experiences within the classroom environment.
Additionally, the article recommends utilizing platforms like Lumen Learning for professional development opportunities and tools to enhance teaching skills and online curriculum.
In summary, educational technology offers multifaceted advantages, from creating engaging learning environments to fostering collaboration and preparing students for the technologically driven world they'll enter post-education. The strategies outlined provide a roadmap for educators to effectively integrate technology, ensuring an enriched and dynamic learning experience for students.
