If you are in the middle of choosing a school for your child, you’ve probably been doing a lot of research on things such as cost, teachers, teaching philosophies, and more. All of these things are important, and you must find a school that aligns with your own opinions on the best way to teach kids. As you consider all your options, have you paid extra attention to schools that have taken technology on board and integrated it into the classroom?
This article takes a look at the importance of exposing kids to new tech and using it to their advantage.
Engaging Kids
Using technology in the classroom improves attention. Kids get bored reading books or reciting the same information off a whiteboard. They need other ways to stay engaged and using technology is a great way to grab their attention.
You don’t have to depend on it all the times and this isn’t even encouraged, but it should be used as a tool to retain students’ attention. You can teach them new information on a whiteboard or in a book, and then download a quiz and let them work independently or as a group.
Many leading international schools in Bangkok incorporate all the latest educational tech to keep students engaged. If you are interested in looking at their facilities, you can always go online and browse through websites like https://basis.ac.th/ to learn more about international schools and how they take advantage of and use technology in the classroom.
Collaboration
Without technology in schools, kids would only be able to collaborate on projects while in the classroom. Once they go home, they wouldn’t be able to work with other students unless they are in the same room.
With technology this has all changed. There are lots of great online resources and apps that allow school kids to work in groups from home. Working as part of a team is an essential skill that is used in the workplace. With online devices, kids can collaborate on projects, share files, and access documents without having to be in the same classroom or space. All of it can be done remotely with the ability to work with other students from around the world.
Preparation for the Future
Technology is in all industries and automation continues to lead the way in a number of fields. If kids aren’t taught about technology and how to use it, they’ll be left behind when they reach university or the workplace.
Most jobs now require a basic knowledge of IT, so it is important to make kids comfortable with all kinds of tech. The workplace is an ever-evolving environment and technology continues to play a key role in its development.
Better Teacher Support
Students don’t always have enough time in class to ask questions. They sometimes get sidetracked or the class finishes early, and they only have a small amount of time to spend with their instructors. Having technology in the classroom helps to maintain the right level of support between students and teachers.
Classrooms are getting bigger and most teachers don’t have any time to focus on individual students. With educational tools and apps, it is easier for teachers to offer guidance and keep track of each student’s development. This allows them to answer questions and support learning by recommending resources that can help the students even more.
Encourages Students to Use Their Initiative
One of the biggest advantages of using technology in the classroom is that it encourages students to work independently and challenge themselves in their own time. One of the hardest parts of traditional learning is ensuring students learn at the right pace. Some are fast learners, while others need more time.
Using technology allows teachers to personalise programmes, so that each student learns at their own pace. Having technology allows them to review their work and go back and study concepts that they don’t fully understand. Having access to technology to support students learning means slower learners won’t be left behind in the classroom.
Working at Home or on Holiday
There are many reasons why some kids cannot make it to school for long periods and their education shouldn’t suffer. One of the positive aspects of using technology in the classroom is that it gives students access to information no matter where they are.
They have access to files, documents, videos, and other resources when they are sitting at home or in a hotel on holiday. Traditional homework is not going to keep them engaged and getting them to sit and read through a book is every parent’s nightmare. Most learners pick up new concepts using visual aids, such as videos and interactive material.
Using technology outside of the classroom encourages students to do their own research and learn more about the subjects they’ve been exploring at school.
Helping Other Students
Technology is incredibly advantageous when it comes to helping students with special requirements. Some students have poor coordination and writing skills which makes them fall behind in class. When they’ve access to a laptop or tablet, they don’t need to be good writers to keep up with their peers.
They no longer have to focus on their writing skills, they can concentrate on the lesson, so they don’t get left behind in class. This improves their focus and productivity, allowing them to stay ahead and concentrate on the lesson. Assistive technology also helps special needs children and other kids with special requirements. If a child has problems with their speech, they can download apps or use special devices that help them to learn in a different way.
Integrating technology in the classroom is specifically important for children and adults who struggle to learn using traditional methods.
As you can see, there are many ways in which technology helps students to learn. It has a long list of benefits and integrating technology helps both teachers and students alike. Every school and learning institution must realise that students are already interested and engaged in using technology. Integrating different forms of technology in the classroom makes teaching and learning more effective.
Interesting related article: “What is Education?“