9 Most Popular Classroom Technologies Every Student Can Benefit From

It is nearly impossible to imagine a classroom without a computer today. Or to think that a presentation can be done on paper instead of PowerPoint. Technology is shaping and re-shaping the educational process. This is why it is important to carefully choose what technologies, programs, and apps to use at schools and universities.

Technologies for Classroom

We start by analyzing what types of technology are already being used in the classroom. Some of them develop different educational services with top-notch research paper writer on PaperWriter experts available throughout the world. No matter where the student is, he or she can always benefit from this type of technology. Other types serve to better engage students in learning, while others help teachers to evaluate students’ engagement.

Cloud Computing

Despite various concerns, this type of technology confidently leads the way in education. Submitting coursework can be done any time anywhere, as long as there is an Internet connection. Digital libraries are accessible outside of the campus library’s working hours. And all learning materials are stored in the Cloud. Cloud computing makes the learning process limitless, provided the Cloud does not shut down.

Biometry

In the past, teachers relied on purely physical characteristics of a student’s engagement. If a student was sitting facing the window or another student, it was clear they were not listening. Biometrical instruments help to measure engagement more subtly, using eye movement. The teachers can use this information to understand the student’s behavior.

Augmented Reality

Gone are the days when the only way to go on a field trip was to hire a van and physically travel hundreds of miles. Today it is possible to go on a virtual trip using AR tools. Although this type of technology is yet to be fully integrated into the learning process, the advantages are clear. The principal benefit is the opportunity to bridge the classroom with the bigger world (or even outer space) with no interference from portable devices.

Gamification

Educational specialists have finally accepted that learning has to be fun. Gamification and game-based learning is the new type of technology for classrooms. At elementary schools, gaming is used mostly to grade students and enliven classroom activities. However, secondary schools and colleges open the opportunity to learn to design games. Needless to say, this is a great chance to acquire new valuable skills and even choose a future profession.

3D-Printing

This type of technology is only making its way into the classroom, but the benefits are already noticeable. 3D-printing can be used in practical lessons to create prototypes. However, it can also assist at theoretical lessons where information may be hard to grasp. Presenting students with a physical model of a process can significantly improve their understanding.

Cutting-Edge Tools for Classrooms

The tools discussed below are based on the types of technology we have just listed.

FlipGrid

This AR app can be used by many different institutions, from schools and universities to big enterprises. Here users share short videos for specific assignments. Speaking of educational institutions, assignments may include:

•         field trips;
•         reading reflections;
•         auditions and rehearsals;
•         shared learning processes;
•         career fairs;
•         end-of-year memories;
•         goal setting;
•         focus groups, etc.

Interestingly, while students share their coursework and activities with the class, teachers can use FlipGrid to share their teaching experience with other colleagues.

Google Tools

A Cloud computing technology, Google Classroom is the place where teachers create, distribute, and assess student assignments, give feedback, and openly and easily communicate with students.

Another tool, Google Forms, is a great way to seek feedback from students. It can be done anonymously. And students can both answer the questions posed by their teachers and ask questions to their professors and peers, too. If we do not want to use social networks, Google Forms is a great solution.

Google Documents also fits the education process as a Cloud technology that allows not only to create various documents but to collaborate on their editing.

Class Dojo

Those who love games will appreciate this app. Students can make their own avatars and track their progress as they gain and lose performance points. Teachers use Class Dojo to track attendance and performance and also to share information with their colleagues.

Educational Apps

Sometimes teachers and students need an app that accumulates information, not gives tools for work. Washington D.C.-based Newseum ED has collected historical documents, artifacts, interviews, and other kinds of sources that can be used to teach many subjects in Humanities and Social Sciences. These materials can greatly improve any History lesson, making it more thoughtful and engaging.

Another app of this kind, Solfeg.io, uses the same principles to create a melody library. Students can browse the melodies and chords while teachers explain the music theory. This is an innovative way of teaching Music.

Finally, Prodigy is a goldmine of Math tasks for students of Grades 1-8. It contains many Math games and activities for students. In their turn, teachers can see what types of tasks their students excel at and what skills they have to develop or improve.

Is Technology Really the Future of Education?

In spite of the many obvious benefits of using technology in the education process, there are still some concerns as to what extent it can penetrate our lives. While Cloud computing makes distance education possible, it also reduces direct social interactions between students and teachers. The dependence of all types of technology on the Internet also raises doubts; if the web shuts down, what would we do? How would we use those online libraries and archives and submit coursework?

The good news is that this challenge is precisely what pushes technology enthusiasts to develop sustainable resources that can withstand the possible technical problems. The benefits of using technology for education really outweigh the disadvantages. In today’s world, it is important to make the learning process seamless and enable students to gain education no matter where they live. By adapting our technology to the growing learning demands, we make the future brighter and inclusive for both students and teachers.