Classroom Tech: Teaching Modern Students

From the cradle to the classroom, today’s children start using technology at a very early age. Many students are now so entrenched in the technological world that they no longer comprehend the need for such basic skills as taking notes by hand or doing simple mathematical calculations without a calculator. E-books have replaced paperbacks, and social media platforms like Instagram have replaced passing notes in class. Ask a modern-day student about an encyclopedia, and you’ll be met with a blank stare because Google is the way to research.

What does this mean for modern teachers and administrators? Those in the educational field must integrate the latest technology if they want to keep their students engaged. Here are a few ways to do it.

The Convenience of Technology

There are many forms of technology that can be incorporated into the modern classroom. From SMART boards to cell phones, the possibilities for the creative educator are endless.

Take the new smartphones, for example. With its water-resistant S Pen, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 is the perfect tool for students to use to take notes. Install the Evernote app, and teachers can create folders that are easily accessible to students and parents. In addition, the notes replace the thousands of handouts teachers must create each year, many of which wind up on the floor or the parking lot rather than in students’ hands. Even better? The app syncs with different devices, so teachers and students can access the notes from multiple places.

Since most students consider planners are a thing of the past, apps like Remind come in handy for messaging students and parents. Phone numbers aren’t needed, so there are no privacy concerns, and teachers can schedule reminders. Parents and students receive the reminders for tests and assignments.

Better Student Engagement

Convenience isn’t the only reason to include technology in the classroom. According to TeachHUB, students find even boring and difficult lessons more fun when they’re presented on a tablet or a laptop, and students also found the information easier to remember when they learned it using a form of technology. For those students who prefer to learn at a faster or slower pace, technology-based lessons allow them the freedom to learn at the speed with which they are comfortable.

Prepared for the Future

As we move further into the 21st century, technology takes up more and more of our lives. In the workplace, a basic grasp of technology is a requirement for most jobs (even those not centered around computers), and students who have spent time with various forms of technology are more prepared for life after school than those who have less exposure.

The days of textbooks and pencil and paper are over, and the world of education must embrace new technology if it is to prepare the next generation for the future.