Last week, I visited my dentist who’s also a close friend and heard her discuss with her kiddies the new policy in their school. “No more notebooks, just laptops,” said her daughter. Considering how we depend on gadgets today, I still got surprised that this is now a thing. But come to think of it parents, how has technology changed the lives of today’s students, really?
The Internet used to be limited in both what it could do and who can use it. Not everyone had a clue what it was after hearing about its invention. Today, teachers and students probably could not push through a lesson without it. In just a short time, the Internet became an integral part of every student’s life. The use of technology even became the standard for good learning.
Good learning defined
According to some resources on the web, good learning involves kiddies enjoying what they do and having a say on how their learning develops. Also, it should give room for feedback, in which the students can raise their need for further explanations. It has to allow students to apply skills and knowledge to different situations using various methodologies as well. Moreover, it should be visually motivating, challenging, involving practical lessons, and giving room for creativity.
Technology also helps in the learning process of kids at home. There are various products available in the market, from e-learning tablets for young ones, down to tech products for older students.
With the things mentioned above, you can say using technology to teach kiddies in schools truly defines good learning. Here’s how schools integrate technology for children:
Research
This is the primary reason students use the Internet in education. There is a wealth of info open to students, even those obscure topics required for research in the library. In China, for example, the site Lecture Outline Series for the History of China, allows students to research directly off this page and present their findings.
These websites serve as knowledge banks where student can get information instantly. You see how efficient studying would be if your kiddies have their own laptop or tablet? They can research on their “digital library”, find answers fast, and accomplish more school tasks than they could with the help of the traditional library.
One concern, however, is the quality of information found online. It is important that teachers help students identify credible resources. As parents, teach this to your kiddies, as this is something they will do until they grow up and get promoted to higher education level. Next is citation. Your children have to understand the seriousness of using one’s idea even if it was posted on the web. Introduce to them how to make citations and give authors the credit they deserve.
Simulation
Simulation in the classroom has been uncommon despite many teachers’ reports on how kiddies of the new generation enjoy online work and simulated activities. Technology in the form of e-learning products available in the market effectively helps children learn about collaboration, group work, real-life problem solving, decision-making, and the like. What simulation offers is a somewhat risk-free environment, in which learners can experiment, make mistakes, rethink, and redesign — all without the fear of destroying something that can’t be easily refilled in a traditional setting.
Online Assessments
Teachers also benefit greatly from today’s technology. Effortlessly, they can create their own tests online on their own website. Students, on the other hand, will benefit from the convenience they get when answering exams now than before. They can even do it wherever they are. To top it off, checking can now be done in no time, as well as the computation of grades and updating of class record.
Now you see the convenience and overall improvement brought about by technology in the classroom. Indeed, it makes things easier and more precise for everyone. Technology in the classroom defines good learning experience, as it allows students to experiment, rethink, and remake without the fear of destroying something indispensable.
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