Why Teachers Need To Use Technology in the Classroom

Technology has become an everyday part of our lives, and that’s true for schools, too. Learn more about the benefits of technology in the classroom.

1. More Tools To Support Students.

In addition to resources like textbooks and worksheets, technology equips educators with various tools to help students develop a better understanding of the material. Because students learn in unique ways, incorporating more learning methods increases the likelihood that all of your students will grasp the concepts you teach.

Whether students learn best through lectures, reading, examples, or video, technology allows teachers to accommodate every learning style.

Students can learn via online videos, audiobooks, interactive online games, and more, all at their own pace. And because online content is easily updated, you and your students can immediately access the most recent information.

2. Improves Collaboration

Teachers have observed an increased frequency of students helping each other when they’re using technology in the classroom. Many technology-based tasks involve other aspects, and this leads to situations where students need to seek help from their peers or the teacher.‡ Additionally, when students are assigned to small groups, the students who are more technologically advanced can assist their inexperienced peers.

3. Connects You With Your Students

Technology can help teachers form a better relationship with their students and their colleagues. For example, 84% of teachers report using the internet at least weekly to find content that will engage students. Integrating technology into your lesson plans as well as using it to expand your own knowledge of subject matter can make a significant difference in the classroom.

Technology will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and it’s important to adjust your classroom style to align with its advancements. Greene offers some advice to fellow teachers: "Take the risk. Try something new. You never really know how effective a tool or approach will be until you try it. Using technology in your classroom also encourages critical thinking skills. Just dive in."

4. Incorporates Different Learning Styles

Each child in your classroom is different, and it can be challenging to adjust your learning plan to fit every student. Fortunately, technology in education can help you modify your lessons. For example, Ryan Greene, an MS in Instructional Design and Technology graduate, chose online learning to earn his degree at Walden, and now applies his knowledge on integrating technology to help improve his classroom.

"Kids who might want to draw during the entire class can now create an infographic to demonstrate their capabilities and understanding of the content, which I might not have previously seen or assessed," Greene said.

His instructional design degree helped him elevate his approach in the classroom, giving students a more tailored experience that can benefit them in the future.

5. Prepares Children for the Future

According to a CompTIA study, nine out of 10 students indicated that using technology in the classroom would help prepare them for the digital future.§ By teaching students skills like PowerPoint, you can help set your students up for success. Introducing instructional technology in the classroom at a young age can help prepare students for future digital demands.

6. Students Become Active Participants

The traditional teaching method is for an educator to stand at the front of the classroom and deliver information about a subject. In this classic lecture style, students are passive participants. In other words, they only receive information.

Technology in the classroom helps students engage with the material they're learning. From online educational games to immersive virtual reality, the EdTech app enables students to become active learners. For example, challenge-based gamification can improve students' performance by up to 89%.

Technological resources frequently used in education include:

• Interactive online quizzes, such as Kahoots or Quizlet.
• Virtual games or simulations where students put knowledge into action.
• A smart board or interactive portable whiteboard, where students can diagram a sentence, solve a math equation, and more.
• Access to computers for online research.
• Online video series that dives deeper into subjects.
• Presentation tools, such as PowerPoint, Canva, and Prezi.

7. Technology Encourages Individual Learning

Technology personalizes the learning experience and provides greater opportunities for students with varying needs. They can learn at their own speed, go back to lessons and get online instructions to support the learning process.

8. Instant Access to Knowledge

Using technology in the classroom gives teachers the chance to provide their students with the guidance to find the right sources and teach them how to assess the quality of the information they find online.

Harshal is a technology enthusiast and a writer. he had the interest to write articles related to technology, software, education and health. He is currently working as a content writer for Synapse LLC. Besides writing, he likes to travel.