Traditionally, schools operated with in-class lectures and textbook readings. In-class attendance was mandatory to learn, pass exams, move on to subsequent grade levels, and graduate. However, with the advancements of modern technology, teachers can incorporate the use of computers, laptops, cellular phones, and other internet-capable devices into their lessons.
There are many benefits of using technology in the classroom. By incorporating the following suggestions into their classes, teachers will be able to engage their students, communicate with parents and peers, pursue professional development, and become top-notch instructors.
Communicate with students, parents, and peers.
Traditionally most teacher-student communication took place in classrooms in a school building. More commonly now, there are circumstances in which teachers must remind their students of assignments, discuss changes in the school schedule, or continue teaching and learning remotely. While it is unprofessional for teachers and students to send each other personal, non-academic messages via social media and text, listed below are ways in which teachers can appropriately use technology to communicate with their students.
Teachers can also use technology to increase their communication with parents and co-workers. Teachers can send messages to parents to request their support with their child’s online learning or to keep them abreast of their child’s progress. Teachers can communicate among themselves and support each other by sharing effective strategies and helpful online sites.
Teachers can do the following with technology to increase communication with students, parents, and peers:
- Make an email list that includes all students, their parents, and/or co-workers. Send important reminders, updates, and information through this media form.
- Set up a class group chat through a school-approved platform, such as Remind. All texts that teachers send will be received by all students, and students can send anonymous questions to the teachers through their phones.
- Use conference-call platforms, such as Zoom, to teach students or create lesson recordings when schools are not open. Teachers can have face-to-face discussions with their students through the conference call and answer questions, track growth, or teach lessons.
Make an updated calendar or syllabus available.
In classes or schools where students have multiple teachers or substantial amounts of coursework, it is especially helpful for them to have constant access to a calendar or syllabus that includes due dates, test dates, and important events. Students are likely to lose printed copies or may not use planners to take notes about their homework assignments and other important class information. In case students do not remember this information, lose their syllabus, or have questions about school events, they can refer to an online class calendar or syllabus. It is helpful and simple to set up by:
- Creating a Google Calendar and sharing it with students via email (W.)
- Emailing a practical list of weekly events with dates to parents and/or students
- Posting an online calendar on a class website or course page on a program such as Canvas
The internet is full of valuable educational videos, demonstrations, simulators, etc. Students can enjoy digitized, hands-free learning and will be able to apply the information they learn through media to real-life situations. Students will appreciate this variation from traditional teaching methods and will enjoy instruction through vibrant colors, characters, and visual effects (W.). Consider doing the following:
- Create a PowerPoint to deliver a lecture or lesson.
- Show instructional video demonstrations.
- Play educational movies or documentaries that relate to the coursework.
In a classroom with a large number of students, it can be difficult to teach at a pace that accommodates every student’s individual learning style. When teachers use online programs such as online games, assignments, tests, or learning activities, students will be able to move at their own pace and not feel frustrated or embarrassed or compare their progress to that of other children (Franceschin). As students complete tasks and activities, they will learn the information at a speed that suits their needs and will be able to learn through an interactive, educational program.
Enhance student research.
Using technology in the classroom makes it easier for students to complete assignments. Students have more practical resources from which they can learn, as opposed to a singular teacher and in-class textbooks.
Teachers should encourage students to conduct research online when completing research papers or book reports, or when they want to find instructional, assistive, and easy-to-use learning videos. Students can refer to credible blogs, scholarly documents, articles, and online books , deepening their research skills and increasing the depth of their understanding about a specific concept or principle (Morison).
Vary class activities.
During the school day, it is not uncommon for teachers and students to become tired, bored, or uninterested in the course material. To quickly resolve this issue, teachers should include various teaching strategies to create a dynamic learning atmosphere and encourage students to focus. Teachers should alternate between in-class lectures, video demonstrations, online educational games or simulations, and on-paper assignments and projects. Varying the class’s activities and creating an organized, exciting routine that includes the use of technology has proven helpful in making learning fun for students and teaching less stressful for teachers.
Complete professional development courses.
In many cases, online learning has become the norm for student learning. However, teachers can also use online learning to grow professionally. Face-to-face professional development is traditionally a one-size-fits-all approach to professional development that has proven to be ineffective, time consuming, and expensive. With school closures and current mandates that prevent gatherings of large groups, traditional professional development meetings are not permitted.
So, how will teachers remain astute and aware of current, effective teaching methodologies? Just as they instruct their students online, teachers can also complete online courses. They can read current articles about education on blogs such as EdGuru Edge. They can complete brief, yet effective and relevant, courses on sites such as EdGuru. Administrators can also assign differentiated professional development modules and monitor teachers’ progress and participation in online courses using online professional development sites such as EdGuru.
As teachers seek to incorporate technology use into their classrooms, they will quickly see greater student success and satisfaction. Teachers can use a variety of activities and methods, including communication with parents and students, online access to calendars and syllabi, engaging media, personalized learning, in-depth student research, various technological activities, and online professional development to make learning a fun and engaging experience for their students and themselves.
Enhance student research.
Using technology in the classroom makes it easier for students to complete assignments. Students have more practical resources from which they can learn, as opposed to a singular teacher and in-class textbooks.
Teachers should encourage students to conduct research online when completing research papers or book reports, or when they want to find instructional, assistive, and easy-to-use learning videos. Students can refer to credible blogs, scholarly documents, articles, and online books , deepening their research skills and increasing the depth of their understanding about a specific concept or principle (Morison).
Vary class activities.
During the school day, it is not uncommon for teachers and students to become tired, bored, or uninterested in the course material. To quickly resolve this issue, teachers should include various teaching strategies to create a dynamic learning atmosphere and encourage students to focus. Teachers should alternate between in-class lectures, video demonstrations, online educational games or simulations, and on-paper assignments and projects. Varying the class’s activities and creating an organized, exciting routine that includes the use of technology has proven helpful in making learning fun for students and teaching less stressful for teachers.
Complete professional development courses.
In many cases, online learning has become the norm for student learning. However, teachers can also use online learning to grow professionally. Face-to-face professional development is traditionally a one-size-fits-all approach to professional development that has proven to be ineffective, time consuming, and expensive. With school closures and current mandates that prevent gatherings of large groups, traditional professional development meetings are not permitted.
So, how will teachers remain astute and aware of current, effective teaching methodologies? Just as they instruct their students online, teachers can also complete online courses. They can read current articles about education on blogs such as EdGuru Edge. They can complete brief, yet effective and relevant, courses on sites such as EdGuru. Administrators can also assign differentiated professional development modules and monitor teachers’ progress and participation in online courses using online professional development sites such as EdGuru.
As teachers seek to incorporate technology use into their classrooms, they will quickly see greater student success and satisfaction. Teachers can use a variety of activities and methods, including communication with parents and students, online access to calendars and syllabi, engaging media, personalized learning, in-depth student research, various technological activities, and online professional development to make learning a fun and engaging experience for their students and themselves.
Resources:
W., Nina. Go Guardian, “9 Unique Ways to use Technology in the Classroom,”
https://www.goguardian.com/blog/technology/9-unique-ways-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/. March 11, 2019.
Franceschin, Tomas. Edu4me, “How can Technology Help Empower Teachers?”
Morison, Julia. eLearning Industry, “8 Ways Technology Improves Education,”
February 24, 2018.
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