The Benefits of technology in the classroom

by K. Frantz

​Years ago, students walked down halls in single-file lines to a small room with gigantic, TV-like devices lined up on rows of desks.  Students were handed a flimsy disk resembling a plastic envelope often bigger than the size of their hands.  The disk—better known as a Floppy Disk—contained a single educational game of some sort that, when inserted into the disk drive, brought the screen to life.  For approximately 30-40 minutes per week, students played computer games designed to aid them as they practiced their ABCs and 123s . . . all while they learned how to use this new technology.

At the time, very few could have anticipated the journey on which technology would take educators and their students.  Yet, today’s schools are equipped with tablets, laptops, whiteboards, kiosks, smartphones, and so much more—many of which are available inside every classroom. 
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To those educated without computers in the classroom, the use of such devices may appear extravagant and contribute to unnecessary distractions.  However, technology has proven time and time again that it’s simply not going anywhere—it is here for the duration. 

​Students today need to take advantage of the positive benefits technology has to offer.  Technology:    

1. Promotes active learning and student engagement:  Not all students will benefit from a passive learning environment.  Technology brings lessons and lectures to life, which allows students to become more actively engaged and involved in their learning.    
   
   
2. Encourages peer collaboration:  When students work together in class they are not simply focused on the task at hand, but also learning very important skills for the future.  Whether a group project, or peer-to-peer tutoring, technology allows students to come together—in person and virtually—to develop personal communication skills that promotes a positive work environment, in addition to enhancing the active learning process.    
   
   
3. Is positive for all learning types:  Whether a visual, aural, verbal, or kinesthetic learner, technology can be customized to meet individual students’ needs.   
   
   
4. Prepares students for the real world:  Technology encourages positive team collaboration—an important skill that students can carry throughout all avenues in life.
   
   
5. Allows for additional content to reinforce tough concepts:  Students do not learn at the same speed.  Technology allows teachers to reinforce problem areas by providing students with additional tech-based videos, games, and media.
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6. Promotes interest-based learning:  Students today are obsessed with technology and should be encouraged to incorporate a multitude of safe, tech-based apps and devices into their education.  There is hardly a better way to engage students than by interest-based learning.

 
When learning isn’t confined to a “one-size-fits-all” approach, students are more likely to flourish and become actively engaged in their lessons.  Through this engagement, students will build confidence in their academic abilities, leading to improved scores and an increased desire to learn. 
 
Technology in the learning environment increases education a thousand-fold.  This isn’t due to an inability for educators to do their jobs well, but due to the fact that teachers have access to better tools designed to help students succeed.  With technology in the classroom, the sky really is the limit!