Technology has changed the face of everything, and classroom learning is not in any way an exception. Asides from its use to entertain and help business executives stay in contact in fast paced corporations, it really can be the medium of ultimate fast communication and instruction. The smartphone revolution for one has perhaps made the greatest impact on children. Not only did children (including teens and young adults) quickly take to the cell phone craze, apps and programs that facilitated learning were quickly in abundance. What initially began as an annoying task for teachers (attempting to rid the phones from their classrooms) later became an important tool in collective as well as individual study.
And this trend is continuing and catching on in even low income areas and public schools. The best part about it perhaps is that teachers can adopt the BYOD trend for students where resources are low, or simply make use themselves of tablets or e-readers to expand on content. According to a survey by PBS Learning Media, 74% of teachers surveyed use technology for classroom benefits.
Integrating With the Curriculum
Now whenever we talk about teachers and classrooms and more importantly learning, curriculum is going to need a due acknowledgement as well. Curriculums are hardly ever left completely up to teachers and are designed by Educational Boards. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with this but in the age of modernization, longstanding curriculums, be they in any part of the world require changes and space for technology. Teaching technological skill may not be something that becomes mainstream yet, especially not in the case of smartphones (like teaching how to safeguard against cell spy apps), but the day doesn't seem very far when it will become a prerequisite for higher secondary study.
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Curriculums themselves need to be broadened in respect to their scope, they can no longer aim to teach facts or information, and rather they need to aim at teaching information acquisition skills. But until world educational curriculums duly recognize this and make it a requirement, teachers, by incorporating technology into their classrooms can take the initiative anyway, all while remaining within the locus of prescribed study.
There are a number of ways that this can be done. Here are some interesting tools or smartphone based resources to get your students more involved in the curriculum as it stands.
1. Apps:
All smartphone users know the importance of apps. As children and teens already make up a good majority of these users, they would be more than willing to participate in this. Students can look for and share apps with each other that may help them in study of math, science, history, and current affairs.
2. PodCasts:
As a teacher you will always have a lot to say about your subject but exposing students to
wider points of view and lectures by other individuals in the know will help them understand concepts better. By sharing podcasts with students and having them give feedback, you can stick to your core course and have them independently explore content as well.
3.Google Books:
Depending on the level of study, students can access different online databases and libraries to accumulate information. Of course, if they are undergrads they would be making use of Google Scholar and other forums for academics but Google Books is great for just about any level. Teaching children to regularly use it to find alternative textbooks and reading material is a great idea. Doing it yourself, needless to say, is a must.
Author Bio:
Natalia David is a tech writer for MobiStealth and has a background in journalism and education. She feels technology is at its best when being put to collective use and writes along the same lines. She can be contacted @NataliaDavid4.
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| Image Credit: wgu.edu |
And this trend is continuing and catching on in even low income areas and public schools. The best part about it perhaps is that teachers can adopt the BYOD trend for students where resources are low, or simply make use themselves of tablets or e-readers to expand on content. According to a survey by PBS Learning Media, 74% of teachers surveyed use technology for classroom benefits.
Integrating With the Curriculum
Now whenever we talk about teachers and classrooms and more importantly learning, curriculum is going to need a due acknowledgement as well. Curriculums are hardly ever left completely up to teachers and are designed by Educational Boards. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with this but in the age of modernization, longstanding curriculums, be they in any part of the world require changes and space for technology. Teaching technological skill may not be something that becomes mainstream yet, especially not in the case of smartphones (like teaching how to safeguard against cell spy apps), but the day doesn't seem very far when it will become a prerequisite for higher secondary study.
Read More: Tips to attempt Multiple Choice Entrance Examination
Curriculums themselves need to be broadened in respect to their scope, they can no longer aim to teach facts or information, and rather they need to aim at teaching information acquisition skills. But until world educational curriculums duly recognize this and make it a requirement, teachers, by incorporating technology into their classrooms can take the initiative anyway, all while remaining within the locus of prescribed study.
There are a number of ways that this can be done. Here are some interesting tools or smartphone based resources to get your students more involved in the curriculum as it stands.
1. Apps:
All smartphone users know the importance of apps. As children and teens already make up a good majority of these users, they would be more than willing to participate in this. Students can look for and share apps with each other that may help them in study of math, science, history, and current affairs.
2. PodCasts:
As a teacher you will always have a lot to say about your subject but exposing students to
wider points of view and lectures by other individuals in the know will help them understand concepts better. By sharing podcasts with students and having them give feedback, you can stick to your core course and have them independently explore content as well.
3.Google Books:
Depending on the level of study, students can access different online databases and libraries to accumulate information. Of course, if they are undergrads they would be making use of Google Scholar and other forums for academics but Google Books is great for just about any level. Teaching children to regularly use it to find alternative textbooks and reading material is a great idea. Doing it yourself, needless to say, is a must.
Author Bio:
Natalia David is a tech writer for MobiStealth and has a background in journalism and education. She feels technology is at its best when being put to collective use and writes along the same lines. She can be contacted @NataliaDavid4.
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