Soham Berry
As an educator, you often see the bad side of technology. Whether it's social media bullying or students that just can't seem to put their smartphone down during class. Remember that technology is not all bad. In fact, it can serve as an excellent tool for engaging your students and even interacting with their parents. Here are just some of the ways technology can enhance your classroom.
Boost Reading Efforts
Technology in the classroom can promote more reading. In years past, the only way to read was in print. Now reading materials are also published digitally. If you're forcing students to only read books, magazines or other print publications, they might not be as eager to read.
Especially when you're dealing with middle school or high school aged children, if they don't want to do something, they probably aren't going to do it. When you allow them to use devices like smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, they may be more apt to read. In addition to reading in the classroom, you can encourage them to use these devices at home.
For many educators, the effort that goes into planning parent meetings can be a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to the scheduling component. Trying to accommodate each parent's schedule, while still considering your own and dealing with parents that need to make last-minute changes can be overwhelming.
When you use an online-based scheduling system, you can eliminate many of these concerns. With these systems, you give parents the opportunity to view the entire schedule and select a time based on their needs. This is a way to somewhat schedule conferences effortlessly.
Encourage Self-Paced Learning
Relying on technology can also support self-paced learning. A common concern in classrooms is the fact that every student does not learn at the same pace. This factor can cause students to fall behind and others to remain stagnant when they could be moving forward with additional lessons.
Technology in the classroom is an excellent way to encourage students to progress through their lessons at their own pace. When you rely on internet based assignments opposed to a traditional paper worksheet, you can tailor the homework that each student gets to ensure it's on their level and suited for their skill set.
Although it does come with its problems, remember that technology can also be your friend, and maybe even an assistant, in the classroom.
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