12 Nov Empowering Teaching & Student Learning through Technology

Being a teacher can be stressful, frustrating but rewarding alike. It takes dedication, responsibility, passion, self confidence and a strong desire to help others succeed.

In modern school environments, teachers with these qualities have access to a huge array of learning resources, many of which are technology or internet focused.

Due to the aggressive evolution around technology, coupled with the use of hardware and software to assist in delivering the Curriculum in the majority of UK classrooms, teachers need to be confident in their own abilities in the use of any new technology resources.

Such technologies open opportunities for both teachers and students to engage and collaborate in a classroom environment in a way which otherwise would have remained almost impossible to implement.

These technologies can be provided as a fixed interactive classroom asset for a dedicated teaching aid, as a mobile device for collaborative group engagement or as a medium for allowing students to bring their own devices into the teaching and learning community. However, the ultimate return on investment is only realised when the way in which that technology is to be used has been considered, planned and those teachers who are to use the technologies have been well trained in the capabilities of the whole system.

A platform for collaboration

Gone are the days of blackboards, whiteboards and overhead projectors. Today’s interactive high definition classroom panels are the latest product in technological evolution in the teaching and learning environment, replacing the interactive whiteboard and projector solutions while allowing collaboration and engagement in a way which has never been achieved before.

With multi-touch features, well known operational gestures and powerful software applications closely associated with those adopted by mobile phone vendors, these new interactive classroom panels provide a simple to use classroom tool, offering familiarisation while inspiring confidence in every user.

Students become engaged in the teaching & learning process through these interactive panels and mobile classroom devices such as tablets or laptops which collectively offer a collaborative hands-on learning experience. Whether working individually or within a group, collaboration through technology is allowing students to become confident in all levels of communication, front of class engagement and confidence around public speaking which is a quality essential in any future career appointment. Being confident and secure in a group setting is a major attribute and skill to any student. It not only allows them to express themselves without fearing judgment by a peer or teacher but it can benefit their personal lives as well.

Mobile Classroom Environments

Mobile devices are everywhere nowadays and are prominent across most demographics and age ranges. Almost everyone carries a smartphone by day and at home we retreat into our tablet and laptop environments. In the classroom, mobile devices are an excellent learning tool. Students can work on projects, play interactive learning games and much more. Schools recognise the importance of the mobile learning environment and are driving towards a one to one ratio between pupil count and mobile device allocation such that there are enough mobile devices in a school environment to provide each child with their own device.

However, mobile devices in the classroom must include security and charging considerations. Keeping the devices secure and fully charged is key to the success and regular use of such devices in the classroom environment.  Some new tablet devices are being offered with wireless charging and sync options, resulting in them becoming extremely attractive mobile classroom solutions.

Supporting Infrastructure

It is really important to acknowledge that this new hardware and technology in the classroom can only go as far as its supporting infrastructure. Providing access to a reliable, scalable, Wi-Fi network with fast connection speeds, high bandwidth availability and high capacity connection capability is essential. Schools and educational institutions must have a robust infrastructure in place to maximise the potential of these mobile classroom devices.

Summary – Using Technology to Deliver the Curriculum

Interactive classroom screens and mobile devices are examples of technology that is being used in todays teaching and learning environment to deliver the Curriculum.

They do not provide a learning platform on their own, rather, they can be integrated into pre-existing teaching methods to enhance the whole education process. Having a clear understanding of how the hardware will be used and which software or App may be relevant to the way the subject matter will be delivered is vital.

For more impartial advice on the importance of empowering teaching & learning through technology, please contact us with your questions.