How Can Teachers Use Technology in the Classroom?

As technology advances, it can be difficult to keep up and adapt to the advancements in both our personal and professional lives. Teachers have an especially important role to play in technological advancements, as incorporating technology in the classroom can be both a learning tool for students and a teaching tool for the instructor. And not just the teachers. Even personal online tutors are trying to keep up with the times by leveling up their teaching methods while trying to be on the lookout for newer and more effective teaching styles. Kids seem to be adapting to the rapid advancements in technology better than many adults, and they actually embrace it. For this reason, incorporating technology in teaching is a great way to increase a child’s interest in learning. A good example is recommending the use of ebook readers when developing a student's English skills. It's a convenient and practical way of encouraging them to read without having to carry heavy physical books around.

There are numerous ways that teachers can use technology in the classroom and many are already doing it. And these innovations make it easier for students to grasp English, Science, as well as Math subjects. Some parents even go through the extra mile of getting their children private tutors to supplement learning in traditional classroom settings. Some districts use interactive Smart Boards in place of traditional chalk or white boards in their classroom. These flat screen monitors are networked with the teacher’s classroom computer and the school’s internet connection. Students can also do some ACT practice tests together. Not only is this a way for students to form a bond, it's a good way to have everyone participate without having everyone's attention on them. Interactive lessons in math, spelling, science and other subjects can be put on screen for students to participate in. Mentors can also teach their students how to use scientific or graphing calculators in their trigonometry or algebra subjects. These nifty pieces of technology are truly interesting and fun to use. The boards use touch screen technology and in some cases, kids are given handheld remote “clickers” that act as controllers for answering questions presented on screen. Also, just because your kids are learning the advanced way, doesn't mean you can't give them more help. If they are struggling with a specific subject, there's still the option to hire a private tutor to help.

Many school districts have made it easy for teachers to use technology in the classroom with supportive technology departments and funding, but others are still behind for budget reasons. In those cases, teachers can still use technology in more unconventional ways. Some teachers encourage middle and high school students to sign up for email updates or text message alerts to receive homework assignments and reminders for tests and projects. Many kids respond well to these types of communications and thus, respond better to the assignments themselves. If you hired a math tutor for your child, it's important that they try not to break habits formed in school. This would build routine based on consistency that should help make it easier for them to continue.

Educational book publishers have also jumped on board the proverbial technological bandwagon by making books available online and interactive activities that supplement the curriculum being taught. Many teachers take advantage of these supplemental activities by permitting kids to go online during class to complete them or encouraging children to visit the publisher’s websites and complete the activities at home. Need a Math refresher for a small group of kids? Have them take recorded modules that start easy and slowly eases them into the more difficult parts. Human intervention is still necessary, so being available for questions is highly encouraged. Similarly, many of these ancillary websites, as well as other computer software, allow teachers to track their students’ progress and understanding of material. Some parents get more external help to further augment these newer methods of teaching, It's not uncommon for kids nowadays to have virtual tutors on top of the education they get in school.

Most classrooms today provide access to computers and other sources of technology. Incorporating that technology in the classroom and daily lesson plans can be a challenge for many teachers, as they must choose the most efficient means of delivering a lesson and the assignments that reinforce it while staying on target with imposed standards. However, many teachers are finding that once they incorporate technology in the classroom, it benefits their students by engaging them in ways they are familiar with and enjoy, which ultimately makes their job easier. For instance, interdisciplinary Math can be confusing if taught the traditional way. But online, a student can be more organized in studying it plus they can get access to creative ways of learning it.