Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. In today’s world, using technology is just as fundamental as reading, writing and arithmetic; thus, technology integration in the classroom is as much about engaging students as it is about reinforcing much needed work skills. What are some of the benefits of using technology in the classroom?
1. Promote Collaborative Learning – Connective technologies enable massive-scale collaboration despite physical separation. Social networking outlets allow learners to reach outside their circle of friends and communicate and collaborate with learners with different viewpoints, social constraints, and varied socio-economic levels. Using social networks and other connective technologies can enhance learning while enabling students to practice the skills necessary for collaboration, a high-demand workforce skill.
2. Increase Student Productivity – Research has shown that technology can increase the complexity of the tasks that students can perform successfully and raise student motivation. Used effectively, technology can also change the roles within a classroom environment enabling instructors to function more as facilitators and less as lecturers while students move toward self-directed learning enhanced by peer-to-peer coaching.
3. Enhance New Media Literacy – Technology continues to change the way we consume and produce information. New forms of media that enable digital interactivity have become commonplace. Using these new tools to produce videos, animated presentations, infographics and other types of content represent new skills that will be commonplace in the 21st century workforce. Integrating these tools in the classroom reinforces new media literacy in the context of solving problems, synthesizing information and effectively presenting and communicating – all skills necessary to be prepared for the workforce.
The following are examples of courses available in the Online Training Center for those interested in learning more about the use of technology in the classroom: ED119 - Using Technology to Engage and Educate, ED203 – Technology Integration for Instructors, EL110 - Effective Use of Social Media in Online Courses.
