What Should University Teachers Know About the Latest Educational Technology Trends?

Author: Roga Benton

Teaching in the class these days is different from what teaching in the classroom was ten years ago. This duration seems small. This is because a lot of technological development has taken place in educational technology. It has made a lot of changes in the ways of both teaching, and learning. There is a lot about educational technology that teachers need to know. These days, students can access information in no time. They don’t have to spend a lot of time on research either. They can get the information that they want without any effort. Educational technology relates to any digital tool that helps in the students’ learning. It is important to know, and understand educational technology to incorporate technology within the classroom.

Why Teachers Should Know About The Latest Educational Technology Trends?Flipped Classrooms
  • Flipped classrooms are becoming more and more common with technological advancements. Flipped classrooms are the ones in which students learn things. They learn things at home on PCs through videos and recorded lectures. In these classrooms, they discover concepts and comprehensive activities in the classroom. It is the most useful educational technology that teachers should know about. This technology was of great use in the pandemic as well. This is because a lot of educational activities converted to distance learning during the pandemic.
  • With this technology, the teachers have to create videos, helping materials, as well as lectures, and share them on the online platforms. Students come into the class with knowledge on the topic. Then the teacher further guides them about that topic. It helps them in getting in-depth knowledge about the topic as well. In reality, teaching and learning in a flipped classroom are difficult, and complex. Because you have to set expectations and act in a certain way so that students complete their learning at home. This requires students to pre learn, or study the lectures and videos of teachers at home.
Social Media in the Classroom
  • Different forms of social media came into being with increase in the use of technology. Social media is a digital tool used by numerous people for making connections with other people. Students use different forms of social media these days. These forms include WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. Teachers are also using these tools these days. They use these tools to connect with their students. Students also use these tools for communicating with their teachers. Whereas the teachers are also using these tools for learning purposes. They are using these tools in lectures that incorporate social media like the use of blogs. In this aspect, students have to write various prompts relevant to something learned in the class. Students are also asked to comment on each other's work during these sessions.
  • Teachers should not only know and understand the use of social media tools, but also spread awareness about it. They should make aware their students of the dark side of these social media tools. They should teach their students how they can be safe while being online. They should also tell them how excessive use of social media can affect their studies. Social media is a great tool if used in the right way for students. This is because it can aid a lot in the learning of different subjects.
  • These social media tools also have a negative side. They have a negative effect on the personality of students. There is always the chance that someone will try to prey on the trusting nature of young people. So the teachers should create awareness among their students on how they can tackle these situations. They should inform them what information they should not share online, no matter what.
Mobile Learning
  • Mobile learning is similar to flipped classrooms. Educational technology is also engaging students in mobile learning with ease. Mobile phones and tablets allow students to connect to the internet. They can search for anything, from any place. This aspect enhances the learnings of students as well. Teachers should be aware of this technology, and should understand it. This will help them in teaching too. As a result, it will also help them in teaching with ease.
  • Mobile learning helps students and teachers to enhance their learnings and experiences. This is because mobile learning is of great help for the students. Students can use this educational technology for learning things. Teachers can also use this technology for presenting things to their students in a better way. Mobile learning is a must these days. Yet this technology is being underused in universities, colleges, and schools. There are numerous apps that both teachers and students use these days like LMS for managing educational documents and assignments.
  • You can get help from the assignment writing services at academic papers for assignments. For this aspect, teachers should know, and understand the educational technologies of today.