How tech in the classroom continues to change student learning

Tech in the classroom continues to change the way students consume and learn information.

From using virtual reality glasses to learn geography to playing online games to learn languages, tech in the classroom has revolutionized student learning.

Let's look at some of the major advances in education technology (EdTech) and how they impact student learning.

Open education resources improve studying

Open educational resources (OER) are platforms or search engines that help students find and share study materials. OERs are part of the public domain and allow students to share and access study material from various topics and schools.

For instance, StuDocu's document-sharing platform allows university students to learn from anywhere and access the same course materials.


Image source: studocu.com

OERs help students find the materials they need all in one spot from study guides to exam questions and class notes.

Online courses and learning apps encourage independent and self-paced learning

All students learn in different ways and at different paces. But in a traditional classroom, all students are expected to progress through the course at the same time. Exams have a set grading scale, and standardized testing scores say if a student moves on or fails.

This model isn't just outdated; it alienates students with different learning styles.

But with tech leading the way for eLearning, students can choose online courses that are the best fit for their needs. Students can also always supplement their learning with online tutors.

From apps to learn Spanish to online courses on pottery and history, students can learn topics independently - and at their own pace.

Tech tools boost student engagement

From taking interactive quizzes to going on a virtual field trip, technology makes learning more engaging and collaborative.

Instead of merely memorizing facts, technology encourages students to learn through critical thinking and hands-on experience.

In other words, technology makes learning interactive.

Instead of doing math with paper and a pencil, students can play online math and problem-solving games. Or better yet, they can use augmented reality to animate math challenges.

Instead of doing a simple hands-on experiment, they can conduct a variety of difficult experiments in a virtual lab.

When it comes to learning, technology's role is endless.

Here are some other examples of tech tools you can use to transform learning:

- Use virtual reality technology to give students hands-on practice with complex subjects (like anatomy and physiology)
- Use virtual reality technology so students can practice surgeries and other medical procedures
- Use simulation tools to demonstrate how something develops (i.e., a hurricane or tornado)- Use 3D printing to create hands-on models students can interact with - Use mobile apps to conduct educational games and administer online courses

Tech tools prepare students for the future



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Most jobs already include some kind of interaction with technology. That's likely to increase as time goes on. Why? As the business world continues to progress, so does the digital economy.

From using workflow automations to automate repetitive tasks, to using cloud-based platforms to manage work flows without technological skills, students won't be able to perform well at their future jobs.

That's why using technology in the classroom is essential to preparing students to succeed in their future careers.

To understand what tech tools to use, teachers should first focus on assessing their students' learning styles and segmenting them into the following groups:

- Auditory learners: Auditory learners learn best when they can hear information presented to them vocally.
- Visual learners: Visual learners learn best when information is presented to them in a graphic or visual form.
- Kinesthetic learners: Kinesthetic learners learn best when they have a physically active role in the learning process.
- Reading/Writing learners: Reading/Writing learners learn best when information is presented in the form of text.

Then, choose two to three tools to test on each group to see which works best.

For instance, keyboards and ebooks may stimulate your kinesthetic learners more, while audiobooks and lectures may help your auditory learners. Kinesthetic learners may do better with virtual reality technology and 3D printing. Visual learners may succeed with animation, pictures, and videos.

After your students have had ample time using technology that best fits their learning styles, assess whether there are any other tools they need to use that may not fit within their style. For instance, auditory learners may not enjoy using keyboards to write, but chances are their jobs will have some form of online writing in the future.

Wrap up

Tech in the classroom continues to positively change the way students learn.

From using virtual labs to conduct experiments to using virtual reality to learn anatomy, tech in the classroom helps students prepare for a bright future.


Author Bio

Eleasha is a freelance writer and educational consultant who covers everything in the digital world, from educational advancement to leadership to career growth. She considers her work as her hobby, as she has a passion for research and writing.