How Tech in the Classroom Impacts Student Learning
Jul 13, 2021
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Tech in the classroom has been around since the 1920s, but it’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought classroom tech to a new level.
From meeting with teachers on video calls to working through online modules and exams, student learning looks different these days.
But it’s also important to realize that it’s not the tech tools themselves that have positively impacted student learning.
Nancy Kassebaum says, “there can be infinite uses of the computer and of new-age technology, but if the teachers themselves aren’t able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails.”
In other words, how teachers use tech tools is how they make the highest impact on student learning.
The impact on virtual classrooms: Personalized teaching
What about when teachers need to use tech in a virtual classroom?
That’s when online teachers must harness their resourcefulness to give students a personalized experience — and the same value students would receive in a physical classroom.
For instance, language learning is now easier and more efficient than it used to be.
Traditionally, to learn Spanish, students had to sit in a classroom with a teacher. Now, there are countless apps to learn Spanish that students can use to speak with native speakers, work on exercises, and take classes at their own pace from anywhere.
With apps like these, teachers use creative ways to personalize activities for students, such as watching and analyzing videos, playing online learning games, and using tools tailored to individual learning styles.
No more information silos
Tech also helps get rid of information silos. Students need access to reputable, factual data for studying and completing their work. They don’t have time to sift through pages of physical library books with no end in sight.
With access to shared online data, students can find the research they need to thrive in the classroom.
For instance, StuDocu allows university students to share lecture notes, research, and study materials with hundreds of thousands of other students worldwide. With access to free resources from 18,000 universities, students can access material to study on any device, anywhere.
Students can track their progress and grades more closely
With EdTech tools, students have access to their online grades and progress reports in real-time. Instant grading is at their fingertips, making students feel motivated to stay on top of progress.
EdTech tools can also help teachers implement healthy virtual competitions and reward systems.
For instance, ClassDojo, a school communication platform for teachers, students, and families, builds community and helps students stay on track.
Teachers and students can choose values and skills (like teamwork) and share feedback on their progress with each other. The students can also earn “dojo points” and rewards when they reach their goals. Parents can even learn what’s happening in the classroom by signing in to see messages, videos, and photos.
By connecting students, teachers, and parents together through one platform, not only are students motivated to achieve their goals, but they’re also part of an incredible classroom culture.
Students can learn at their own pace instead of having to keep up with peers
While tech tools can help students engage in healthy competition with peers, they can also help students learn at their own pace.
The 2002 to 2015 “No Child Left Behind” movement was created with the intention to provide more education opportunities for four key groups:
- Students of color
- Students in poverty
- Students who speak and understand limited or no English
- Students receiving special education services
While the movement’s goal was to help disadvantaged students successfully progress through their education, the law was controversial. This was partly because it penalized schools that didn’t show improvement, partly because it focused too much on standardized testing. The law led to some schools “teaching to the test,” which focused only on what students were to be tested on.
But with EdTech, students can learn without having to race to keep up with peers. While this can also depend on the school district’s expectations, parents and students can opt for other virtual or hybrid learning solutions that let children work at their own pace.
Makes students more engaged with their studies
In virtual classrooms, students aren’t as distracted by their peers. WIth consistent hands-on learning, less lecturing, and no physical peers, it’s easier for students to feel engaged in class.
In hybrid or in-person classrooms, students with the right tools will feel more motivated and engaged with their studies.
Prepares students for 21st-century skills
Tech in the classroom teaches students the skills they need to work and succeed in an increasingly technological world.
Even simple tools can help students prepare for the real world.
Keyboards can help students write easier and better. Videos and audio can stimulate young minds and foster a thirst for learning. Incorporating multimedia like pictures, animation, and sound can help students increase their ability to recall facts and understand complex topics.
Tech tools can also be used to address every individual student’s learning style. By first segmenting students by learning style (Visual learners, Auditory learners, Reading/Writing learners, and Kinesthetic learners), teachers can choose which tools are most appropriate for each group.
This way, every student has access to the tools they need to achieve their full potential.
As the modern world continues to adapt, the skills that students need to thrive in the world become more complex.
With rapid technological and economic changes, students need to learn how to communicate more effectively, work with others, and solve problems. This means having the skills to thrive in college or the workforce.
Students also need to develop a passion for lifelong learning and personal development. Tech can help them feel an eagerness to learn that will carry them forward throughout their lives.
Wrap up
Tech tools in the classroom can be facilitated to address each student’s learning style.
Teachers can use tech tools to foster positive classroom cultures, high student engagement, and prepare students for the future with creativity and resourcefulness.
Author Bio
Eleasha is a freelance writer and educational consultant who covers everything in the digital world, from educational advancement to leadership to career growth. She considers her work as her hobby, as she has a passion for research and writing.
Tags: English