Technology is inevitably revolutionizing the world of education, and the COVID-19 pandemic only increased the need for effective educational technology. From hybrid classrooms to online lesson plans, technology is changing the way students learn, how they interact with their teachers, and more.
A majority of teachers recognize that technology—from social media to online shopping—is everywhere, and the classroom should be no exception. These educators also believe that ed tech benefits their classrooms, helping them capture students’ attention spans and even boosting their own productivity rates. From lesson planning software to Promethean boards, in-classroom technology offers numerous advantages to both students and teachers.
Let’s take a look at some ed tech trends shaping classroom learning today.
According to the most recent State of Technology in Education Report from Promethean, 83 percent of educators agree that technology is a highly effective way to engage students because it can appeal to young people who may have different learning styles. Today’s elementary, middle, and high school students grew up in environments immersed with technology, and these digital natives are naturally gravitating toward learning through digital devices and applications.
Educational technology doesn’t just benefit students—it also benefits teachers. In fact, 83 percent of educators believe technology helps them do their job better, and 91 percent say their overall confidence with technology usage has increased as they use it more frequently.
Many teachers also say that educational technology is a must, with 82 percent believing that since it’s a necessary part of daily life, it should also be included in their lesson plans. Overall, schools must embrace technology if they want to help their students prepare for the future.
Some of the most popular tech tools in the classroom today include laptops, apps, and interactive whiteboards such as Promethean boards.
Many schools have adopted 1-to-1 initiatives, which means that every student is given their own laptop to use during the school day. Some districts are even allowing students to take their laptops home for remote or hybrid learning and homework assignments.
Laptops and tablets lend themselves well to multimedia resources, e-books, web research, and more. They also give students the ability to continue learning when they’re outside of the classroom, while technology such as Promethean boards can enhance the in-classroom learning experience.
Online apps can facilitate different types of educational activities, such as class discussions, reviews, assignments, quizzes, games, and beyond. Students simply download teacher-specified apps that are focused on subjects like reading, math, language arts, and more. Students can engage with these apps both inside and outside of the classroom.
Many educational apps today feature gamification, meaning they’re designed to reflect the fun and excitement students enjoy while playing their favorite games. For example, they may allow users to complete levels, unlock new capabilities, or place on a leaderboard.
The global interactive whiteboard market size was valued at $1.6 billion in 2019 and is experiencing a projected compound annual growth rate of 7.6 percent from 2020-2027. Promethean boards create a more interactive and technology-rich classroom environment for both educators and students.
Teachers can use Promethean boards in a number of ways. For example, they can combine slide presentations with virtual writing to draw in students’ attention. They can also capture and record activity on the board for future reference. This is an especially valuable feature for hybrid classrooms and teachers that want to ensure their online students have access to all the same resources as their in-person students.
CPI can equip your classrooms with Promethean boards to help both teachers and students embrace the future of ed tech. Learn how we helped one Texas school district leverage the power of Promethean boards to create an engaging and interactive classroom experience.