10 Ways We Can Use Technology in the Classroom

Education is the most powerful tool that prepares our kids for their future and grows their personalities. Even though a lot of us didn’t like school, we must admit that it is really important and offers children millions of chances to improve.

But studying nowadays is unimaginable without technology. Technology can act as a bridge between teachers and kids. Some of the most widespread ways to use technology in the classroom are:

• Interactive Whiteboards;
• Educational Apps;
• Online Learning Platforms;
• Virtual Reality;
• Social Media;
• Video Conferencing;
• Gamification;
• Podcasts;
• Online Assessment Tools;
• Brainstorming Tools;

In the following paragraphs, we’ll discuss the details of each tool, stating its benefits in the classroom.

Technology in the Classroom

Interactive Whiteboards

Also known as smart boards or e-boards, they are digital devices used in the classroom. Teachers can use them as normal whiteboards but also can use them to share photos, videos, and graphs, which makes the lesson more interactive.

Classrooms that have interactive whiteboards are successful because they are easy to use, offer both traditional and modern educational methods, engaging interaction, and much more.

For example, a teacher finds a great picture of, let’s say, mitochondria, a.k.a the powerhouse of the cell (it’s quite a shocker that I remember some of the biology stuff we learned). Instead of drawing it on a normal whiteboard, the teacher can open the picture on the interactive whiteboard!

Educational Apps

These apps offer our kids knowledge and lots of learning opportunities. Educational apps are often used as a tool for giving homework, study materials, exercises, and such.

For example, Khan Academy offers children material for all subjects, Duolingo is a fantastic app for studying a specific language, King of Math: Math learner is a great tool for learning math and Play and Learn Science is perfect for introducing science to students at any age.

Online Learning Platforms

Online learning platforms provide our kids the opportunity to find educational resources for any topic, all in one place.

With these platforms, children can learn what they want, whenever they want, and even earn certificates they can use later in their life. Some of the best are: 

• Khan Academy– most suitable for elementary school kids;
• Coursera– most suitable for high school and college students;
• Skillshare– for students of any age;

Virtual Reality

Imagine living in a whole different world. Well, that isn’t a dream in today’s world. Virtual reality offers you the chance to live in a whole new dimension.

It has many benefits everywhere, including the classrooms. Modern classrooms that offer virtual reality goggles can help children learn in a new, creative, and fun way by simulating different scenarios.

For example, chemistry teachers can use virtual reality to demonstrate experiments to the students. Also, biology teachers can use it to examine the microscopic depths of every organism (some of the VR science videos on YouTube are really cool).

Social Media

You’re probably wondering how could social media possibly be useful in a classroom. Well, social media is the source of every kind of information. Studies show that about 80% of teachers use social media for inspiration!

And children can use it too. Social media is useful because it engages a whole community of people, each with their own comments and thoughts on a topic.

For example, YouTube is the best source of free tutorials and courses for everything you want. Pinterest is also great because there you can find material and information for all subjects. One of its stronger traits is the wide array of drawings that can inspire you in art class.

Other apps, like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, offer thoughts and debates about certain topics. So, any teacher can use these apps to get ideas about their teaching methods and discussions they can start in class.

Gamification

If you want to make something interesting for children? Well, turn it into a game! That’s what gamification means.

And tech offers just about everything to turn a lesson into a fun game. Gamification is good because it engages students much more than traditional methods.

Also, gamification activates students’ competitive spirit, so they try to do their best. And students that learn through games easily memorize the lesson!

For example, learning division and multiplication through interactive games is way better than learning division and multiplication by memory.

Podcasts

You’ve probably already heard what podcasts are. Basically, several people sit down and discuss a certain topic, and you listen to it.

Although teachers often avoid using podcasts in class because they tend to be long, this tool has its benefits too. By listening to podcasts, students get to hear different opinions on some matter or hear experts talking about a topic. 

Also, teachers often get inspiration for their lessons by listening to podcasts. For example, some of the best educational podcasts are:

• The Teaching Space;
• The Cult of Pedagogy;
• This Teacher Life, and many more;

Online Assessment Tools

As much as students don’t like to be graded, teachers must find a way to assess their students’ knowledge.

So, modern teachers often use online assessment tools. Because tech devices are our children’s comfort zone, these tools make tests and exams feel less stressful.

There are so many online assessment tools on the market, especially because of the recent pandemic. But some of the most used online assessment tools are Quizizz, Quizlet, Kahoot (my personal favorite), Microsoft Forms, etc.

Brainstorming Tools

Teachers often use brainstorming sessions to engage their students in critical and creative thinking. Luckily, tech has our back and also offers a lot of brainstorming tools.

These platforms offer a more organized way of grouping ideas, and with their creative and simple interface, teachers often use them to engage their classes. Some of the best brainstorming tools include:

• IdeaBordz;
• MindMup;
• Miro, and others;

Conclusion

We went over the 10 ways to use technology in the classroom, but we must also remind ourselves that there are many other ways to implement digital tools in schools (hey, and unexpected rhyme!).

Implementing technology in the classroom is a hard process, but nowadays students and teachers see the major benefits technology has in the classroom.

Schools are the sources of knowledge, and technology only opens up more pathways for the students- our children.

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