The rise of modern technology has confused students and parents alike. Parents want their children to achieve and not get distracted by the latest video game. Kids want to use their smartphones in the classroom to enhance their learning.
Schools call such advocates crazy. Mobile devices are the biggest distractions going. Just look at the average American playground. Instead of playing sports, kids are sitting in circles playing games of Angry Birds and increasing the childhood obesity figures.
Bringing modern technology into schools is difficult as it doesn’t differentiate between work and pleasure. Plus it takes a lot of investment and training for teachers. The need to modernize across multiple areas is why schools are slow on the uptake.
In light of these common concerns, here are a few types of technology which could work in the classroom and why schools should consider using them right now.
Projectors
We all remember those bulky school projectors which barely ever worked. The thin plastic sheets with things written on them was about as advanced as it got. Now they’re about as small as a mobile phone and can project videos and images in full color. More advanced projectors even have surround sound capabilities.
Projectors work well with PowerPoint presentations. Teachers can connect it to a laptop or computer and control what appears on the screen from there.
Newer digital projects are popular and therefore don’t cost as much as you think. When schools need to replace projectors, it’s wise to spend a little extra on more durable, hi-tech digital projectors.
TV and DVD Player
The TV and DVD player is an essential part of education. Since the old cassette video is long gone, you don’t have an option but to purchase a DVD player. TVs and DVDs are so common they barely cost anything. It’s better to have a higher quality video because this engages with students better.
Cloud Computing
Transitioning to cloud computing would take files away from the school system and place them on an online server controlled by the school. Most students can access the Internet from home. This would enable them to download homework and any other school work without being at school. It promotes more flexible learning.
It’s also simple to use. The only difference is you’re saving work to the cloud instead of on the physical school system.
The cloud also protects files against computer crashes.
E-Readers
Textbooks still reign supreme in the classroom. E-readers haven’t managed to convince authorities of their usefulness. It’s understandable because they could easily serve as a distraction device.
Schools which monitor them properly could streamline learning. Textbooks are expensive. eBooks are not. It also removes the need for children to carry around bulky textbooks and risk spilling their juice boxes over them. Again, it also allows studying from anywhere because the textbooks don’t remain in school.
Staying with the same type of technology, you could introduce electronic note takers. Instead of writing on paper, they write using a stylus and a tablet. Save the notes onto the tablet and edit them at will. It’s much easier to make virtual changes than those on pen and paper.
Personal Headphones
Headphones are dangerous as teachers find it impossible to tell what a student might be listening to. Whilst we’d like to think it’s an audio learning course, usually it’s Justin Bieber ruining the music taste of yet another young person. If rules are properly enforced, they can provide a boon to the quality of education.
Language learning courses can benefit the most from the use of headphones. An example of use in language learning would be a voice asking the student to say a phrase. Other pupils would have to translate what the student said. This enhances speaking and listening skills.
Another good example is to get students used to certain accents. Latino children who speak mainly Spanish could listen to alternate accents in English class. It could be a British, Australian, or American accent.
Most teachers simply can’t implement this level of learning in the classroom without outside help.
Personal headphones are cheap and nearly always figure in music classes anyway. Even the audio tapes are cheap, and schools often get special discounts.
About the Author: Korah Morrison, working for College-Paper.org – the best student’s helper.
Schools call such advocates crazy. Mobile devices are the biggest distractions going. Just look at the average American playground. Instead of playing sports, kids are sitting in circles playing games of Angry Birds and increasing the childhood obesity figures.
Bringing modern technology into schools is difficult as it doesn’t differentiate between work and pleasure. Plus it takes a lot of investment and training for teachers. The need to modernize across multiple areas is why schools are slow on the uptake.
In light of these common concerns, here are a few types of technology which could work in the classroom and why schools should consider using them right now.
We all remember those bulky school projectors which barely ever worked. The thin plastic sheets with things written on them was about as advanced as it got. Now they’re about as small as a mobile phone and can project videos and images in full color. More advanced projectors even have surround sound capabilities.
Projectors work well with PowerPoint presentations. Teachers can connect it to a laptop or computer and control what appears on the screen from there.
Newer digital projects are popular and therefore don’t cost as much as you think. When schools need to replace projectors, it’s wise to spend a little extra on more durable, hi-tech digital projectors.
TV and DVD Player
The TV and DVD player is an essential part of education. Since the old cassette video is long gone, you don’t have an option but to purchase a DVD player. TVs and DVDs are so common they barely cost anything. It’s better to have a higher quality video because this engages with students better.
Cloud Computing
Transitioning to cloud computing would take files away from the school system and place them on an online server controlled by the school. Most students can access the Internet from home. This would enable them to download homework and any other school work without being at school. It promotes more flexible learning.
It’s also simple to use. The only difference is you’re saving work to the cloud instead of on the physical school system.
The cloud also protects files against computer crashes.
E-Readers
Textbooks still reign supreme in the classroom. E-readers haven’t managed to convince authorities of their usefulness. It’s understandable because they could easily serve as a distraction device.
Schools which monitor them properly could streamline learning. Textbooks are expensive. eBooks are not. It also removes the need for children to carry around bulky textbooks and risk spilling their juice boxes over them. Again, it also allows studying from anywhere because the textbooks don’t remain in school.
Staying with the same type of technology, you could introduce electronic note takers. Instead of writing on paper, they write using a stylus and a tablet. Save the notes onto the tablet and edit them at will. It’s much easier to make virtual changes than those on pen and paper.
Personal Headphones
Headphones are dangerous as teachers find it impossible to tell what a student might be listening to. Whilst we’d like to think it’s an audio learning course, usually it’s Justin Bieber ruining the music taste of yet another young person. If rules are properly enforced, they can provide a boon to the quality of education.
Language learning courses can benefit the most from the use of headphones. An example of use in language learning would be a voice asking the student to say a phrase. Other pupils would have to translate what the student said. This enhances speaking and listening skills.
Another good example is to get students used to certain accents. Latino children who speak mainly Spanish could listen to alternate accents in English class. It could be a British, Australian, or American accent.
Most teachers simply can’t implement this level of learning in the classroom without outside help.
Personal headphones are cheap and nearly always figure in music classes anyway. Even the audio tapes are cheap, and schools often get special discounts.
About the Author: Korah Morrison, working for College-Paper.org – the best student’s helper.
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