Transform classrooms with useful technology – the newspaper

Not all technologies are created: Transform classrooms with useful technology

In education, there is a constant buzz on the future of classrooms and how technology will change everything. But as much as our world evolves, the basic needs of education remain the same. Class halls will always be places where children will learn to be part of something bigger than them. These are environments where students establish relationships, develop skills in critical thinking and grow in whom they are going to be adults and citizens. If there is something we have learned, it is because technology should be a tool to support these objectives – not a replacement for what makes learning, basically, a human experience.

Today’s classrooms are equipped with more tools than ever to help educators make a difference. But just because technology is present that it always has an impact. The real innovation in Ed Tech must align with educational objectives, and there is still room for improvement. Let’s press a “good” technology and get it up to meet the needs of each student.

Why good technology matters more than ever

Think of the range of various students taught every day. Each student enters the classroom with unique needs, interests and objectives. Ideally, the technology we bring to schools should help us meet each student where they are, by giving teachers the support they need to make each lesson engaging and impactful.

But technology can be a double -edged sword. Well -designed tools, created with pedagogy in mind, can help teachers promote more in -depth learning and a significant commitment. On the other hand, we also see more tools that engage students on the surface, without really moving the needle on learning results.

This is what I call “the bait and the change” of Ed Tech. It is tempting to use high -level tools that capture the attention of students, but ultimately are not used for an educational objective. For example, applications based on the quiz can be a fantastic tool to examine the equipment, but if students use them 20 times a week instead of a more in -depth learning, it just becomes another form of practice by heart and memorization. Similarly, many students use online text processing to work on writing work, but as a tool for general use, they do not have personalized features that really help develop stronger writing skills.

This brings us to the current debate on screen time and its impact on students. The conversation often lacks a key point: all screen times are not equal. An hour spent consuming social media videos is very different from an hour spent solving mathematical problems or working through difficult text. The quality of the commitment has much more than the amount of time spent in front of a screen.

As a Educators, it is essential to distinguish between screen time that supports growth and distracted screen time. Research shows that the use of the passive screen – content consumption without significant interaction – offers few advantages to learning and can actually hinder cognitive development. Compare this with active screen use, where students are invited to engage with equipment, collaborate with peers and critically think; This is the type of screen time that should be prioritized in class.

Design technology for the entire student

To be significant, educational technology must go beyond support for academic growth and also promote social and emotional development. It is an area where I see the potential for real change. There is something powerful in technology that brings together students rather than isolate them. Students simply learn by being in social situations – by working through a mathematical problem with a classmate, debating themes of a novel or by simply collaborating on a group project. When technology creates spaces for students to connect, it becomes an ally so that school becomes significant and motivating.

Educators at the head of Ed Tech

While we consider the role of technology in classrooms, remember that teachers are the ultimate engines of students’ success. Technology is a powerful ally, but it is as effective as the teacher who would brandish it. The most effective ED technological solutions do not try to replace educators; They support and amplify their impact. This is why I strongly believe in the design of intuitive, flexible and adaptable technology to different teaching styles and class needs.

With the right tools and intentional use, technology can help us create engaging, fair and avant-garde learning environments. But that requires a clear vision and a commitment to use technology in a way that really benefits students.

Conversation around Ed Tech often focuses on new tools, solutions or trends will shape the future. But I would say that the most significant transformation has just understood how technology can meet the current needs of our classrooms. When we choose technology in a thoughtful way, focusing on the quality of engagement and alignment with educational objectives, we build classrooms that are equipped for all that the future has in store for us.