7 Major Benefits of Technology in the Classroom
Technology: can it improve student success?
Technology is a word that has both positive and negative meanings for students. Many parents and educators are concerned about the time that their students are spending on electronic devices.
But as it turns out, technology can be a good thing – so long as it is used properly in the classroom. The benefits of technology in education look like higher engagement, higher achievement, and more creativity, to name a few.
Curious to learn more? Continue reading for 7 ways that technology benefits learning.
Table of Contents
1. Prepares Children for the Future
There is no doubt that the future is becoming more digital. People are stopping online, work is becoming more remote, and people are even finding their partners and friends through online platforms.
Using technology in the classroom helps to prepare students for a digital future. We do not know the jobs that will exist when students graduate, but we do know that the jobs will be largely reliant on technology.
For students to be successful after they graduate, they will need strong technology-based skills. Having a mindset in the classroom that technology is positive will encourage students to learn and experiment with technology.
Right now, technology is making its way into many classrooms. But in the UK, educators are still calling for more laptops to be available to students.
2. Connects You with Students
Education technology can help teachers form a better relationship with their students because it gives them more communication options. Teachers can use the internet to find content that their students will like, then upload that content to online portals.
Say that a teacher knows that students are particularly interested in a certain topic. That teacher could find resources and upload them to an online classroom for students to access at any time they like. Even outside the classroom, students will feel connected to what they’re learning.
If students need to contact their educator, they can reach out using emails or digital classroom settings. Teachers can answer questions or requests in real-time.
3. Fits Different Learning Styles
Everyone learns in different ways. Some people prefer to watch videos, while others like a hands-on approach. Still, other students have special needs and need assistance with writing, spelling, or mathematical computations.
With just Wifi installation and a computer, classroom technology gives all students the chance to succeed, despite their learning style. When lessons are online, they can be easily modified to fit a certain learner’s style.
For instance, an educator can upload a lecture with a transcription alongside it. Students who like to learn by reading can highlight the important notes in the transcript before watching the video. Students who are faster or slower learners can change the video playback speed accordingly.
What makes using technology even better is that teachers won’t have to spend nearly as much time modifying their lesson plans for students. When they upload a video, the students can learn how they want.
Then, the teachers as more time to answer questions and engage with students, rather than focusing on producing material.
4. Builds Achievement with Gamification
Gamification is a method that encourages people to complete tasks by making the process similar to a game. It can be used for any task but is particularly effective for students because they tend to be younger and more curious.
With the gamification system, students will meet goals in their learning and get rewards, which will build their sense of achievement. Many students will be motivated to move to the next less when they know they will achieve something along the way.
5. Increases Engagement
Technology allows students to have more opportunities and express themselves. If a student wants to learn more about a subject, the internet will give them countless resources. If they’re struggling, online activities will let them try out their new skills.
Engagement will increase because students will be putting to use what they’re learning. Instead of just reading from a textbook, technology in education allows for interactive activities.
It’s easy with technology to create discussion boards or groups so that students can collaborate. Students can still connect, but just in different ways.
And students will be more likely to stay engaged when they have the option to learn at their own pace.
No student wants to sit through an hour-long lecture about a topic they already understand, and no student wants to sit through an hour-long lecture that is moving too fast for them to understand. Technology will keep students interested because they can learn at their speed.
6. Saves Time with Automation
Technology in teaching allows educators to streamline processes that in the past would take them a long time. For instance, instead of grading individual answers by hand, they can use automation to grade assignments faster.
Automation can take processes like grading up a notch because they will also provide data. Tools like a scanner will grade the bubble sheet automatically, but they won’t give data about trends in the responses.
Automated data can show the answers that were most frequently missed, the average score, and the top scorer all in one place.
7. Encourages Creativity
The amount of content is limitless. Students who want to learn about a topic now have more access to information than ever before. They’ll be able to find content relating to art, music videos, and tutorials to learn.
Now, students can learn to make their websites and designs to build creative masterpieces from a young age. Editing software lets students bring photos to life and make new creative projects.
With technology, students can unlock new potential. And once students realize how beneficial technology can be to them during the creative process, they may be more excited to use it for math or other more routine-based subjects.
Using the Benefits of Technology in Education
The benefits of technology in education don’t stop here. When implemented into the classroom correctly, technology can transform the way that students learn for the better.
To learn more about the impact of technology and other interesting topics, you’re welcome to view the other posts on our blog!
Biswajit Rakshit is a professional blogger and writer. He loves to write on various topics.
