Most of our school and educational system is outdated. This is simply due to the fact that we haven’t been catching up with the times.
Teachers still use teaching techniques and tools from the last century. The advance in technology, as well as methodology, could be used much more prominently in education, especially in the K-12 range.
The pandemic lockdown years have jolted our slumber as far as the reach and value technology can add to our children’s education. We’ve learned that when teaching kids in the range of K-12, technology can be of great assistance.
Let’s see what some of the benefits are.
Technology makes collaboration and communication much easier
Technology fosters collaboration.
It’s much easier for students to collaborate on group projects with the use of online spaces. A dedicated space can be a hub for all resources, discussions, task delegation, and progress monitoring for progress.
This all makes working together easier, more enjoyable, and more productive. Students are much more likely to learn the value of working together this way.
It’s never been easier for students to get one on one time with their teacher
Sooner or later, it’s inevitable for any student to require some additional tutoring on certain topics. Without technology, it can be really difficult for a student to reach out to a teacher or for a teacher to make room in their schedule for each and every of their students.
When properly utilized, technology can help every student receive the attention they require to ask their questions. Teachers can allocate time in their schedule much easier to meet their students' needs.
Technology makes it easy for teachers and students to communicate properly.
Students can learn at their own schedule
Making teaching materials available 24/7 on an online platform makes every student king of their domain.
They can access workbooks, notes, lessons, and all other types of school texts in a matter of minutes through a well curated online platform.
If someone misses a class due to sickness – the materials will be right there. If someone is struggling with a topic, they can help themselves to the notes and explanations on the server.
Teachers can access the search data and pinpoint exactly which lessons their students struggle with and which students need an extra push on which topic.
Learning materials that employ digital technology are simply more effective
The fundamental skills that kids learn in school – reading, writing, and math – can be taught much more effectively by using technology,
For example, writing skills are much easier to imprint when the writing is done on a keyboard and in software. The reason is simple – more editing options allow for better and more thoughtful writing.
It’s obvious and well known that kids, and adults for that matter, learn best when having fun. Math skills can be gamified easily via mobile and tablet apps.
While using their computer for school, kids also boost their digital literacy to a whole new level.
Teachers can make personalized curriculum much easier
If someone shows a proclivity towards math but struggles in languages – the teacher can easily pick this up and create a customized curriculum.
The expansive amounts of data technology provides to the teacher makes it possible to pick up special interests much more easily and reliably.
The flipside is also true – if somebody has a difficult time understanding a subject, a teacher can easily pick up on it and devote special attention to the problem or provide the student with extra learning material.
Engaging content makes learning more effective.
Gone are the days of boring old textbooks that no one wants to read. Technology opens the gates for new types of learning materials designed to spark the students’ imaginations.
Gamification, augmented reality, and learning materials in forms other than written ones, can all be used to boost the chances of knowledge sticking into students’ brains.
With these new types of learning materials, students can be enticed to learn in totally novel ways.
Teachers’ administrative work is made almost redundant
New levels of productivity are possible for teachers who successfully use technology to their advantage.
Scoring tests is much easier. Storing and organizing teaching materials is now a breeze. The paper waste levels can be brought down significantly.
Each teacher can create their own routine and way of working to make the most boring and difficult part of their jobs not as much of a chore.
With the use of technology, teachers can focus on what they do best – reaching out to their students and making them fall in love with learning.
Parent-teacher transparency
It is now much easier for the involved parent to check up on their kids and their schoolwork. Whereas before, a parent would have to go to a PTA meeting to really get to know how their child is doing, online tools now allow immediate access to their children’s progress.
Teachers are a click of a button away, and grades can regularly be sent to the parent via email. These tools help parents make sure their child is on the right track educationally and intervene on a problem before it’s too late.
Technology prepares students for a 21st century world
There’s no escaping the fact that our world is becoming more and more digital.
By providing students with ample experience with technology at the outset of their education, they become prepared to face the ever-changing world that awaits them.
Conclusion
Technology has infiltrated all aspects of our lives. Kids cannot, and should not, be sheltered from it since their future will most certainly include it.
Compared to the rest of our lives, technology entering the classrooms is a slow process. People are still sticking to the tried and true ways of the previous century.
Using mobile devices, file sharing, online classrooms, readily available materials, collaborative tools, grading software, gamification, and engaging content is a step in the right direction.
Becoming and remaining open to the ways technology can enhance our lives is a must if we want our kids to learn effectively in the future.
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