Gearing up for Education Season
We may have just survived the most challenging school year or our lifetime, and one of the key lessons we learned is the critical role that technology plays in both teaching and learning. The classroom is rapidly evolving for students of all ages with more innovative tools that can increase student engagement, and allow students to learn at a faster rate while preparing them with the skills they will need for future 21st century occupations.
As more and more classrooms across the country plan to return to in-person learning, teachers are prepping their classroom for the upcoming year. They are looking for tools that can improve their teaching methods and help them be more productive and efficient. What were once “nice to haves” are now seen as more critical as teachers adapt to the changing times.
Virtual classrooms, video, augmented reality (AR), robots, and other technology tools can not only make class more lively, they can also create more inclusive learning environments that foster collaboration and inquisitiveness and enable teachers to collect data on student performance.
With the education season coming up quickly, what are some of the tech tools for teachers to create the most effective and efficient learning experiences in the classroom of today? Whether delivering education in person, or remotely, here’s a list we’ve researched so you don’t have to:
A new Philips digital display. These low-cost solutions are compatible with most existing classroom technology, while still adding new and engaging elements to the learning experience. With touchscreens and collaboration-focused displays, students and teachers have never been more connected to learning and each other. With wireless presenting, video conferencing and whiteboard capabilities a high-quality display increases enthusiasm and supports active learning for all students.
- A good learning management system (LMS). This is the central hub to organize everything you need as an educator in one place. With the right LMS, the teacher can easily access what he/she needs when they need it, personalize learning and ultimately boost productivity for their classrooms. Fee-for-service LMS’ like Canvas and Schoology consistently receive high marks, or you can try Google Classroom, which is free.
- A virtual reality (VR) headset like ClassVR or Oculus Rift – Originally designed for video game players, these are so good for learning too. With the teacher’s control, students are able to immerse themselves in the lessons they are learning without leaving the classroom.
- Classroom STEAM kits. These kits are designed to stimulate students’ overall thinking process through hands-on technology projects. For collaborative or individual work, they can be used across science, math, engineering, art, and technology.
Today educators have several options when it comes to adopting new technologies to create a “smart classroom.” The effective use of the tools listed above can expand learning opportunities for students, increase student engagement, help teachers improve their lesson plans, and facilitate personalized learning. And most importantly, they can help students build essential 21st-century skills.
