How To Best Equip Your Students for a Learning Environment
For teachers, technology plays an important role. Not only does technology aid their students to get the most out of their learning experience, but technology provides teachers with:
- New avenues for presenting the curriculum to students
- Methods for tailoring their teaching strategies to certain students
Technology comes in many forms, from hardware that facilitates new ways for teachers to engage their students, to software solutions that give every student an equal opportunity to learn the same curriculum as their peers. In this article, we’ll provide some examples of technology that teachers can use to innovate their teaching.
Teachers Technology - Hardware
Portable Computers (i.e. laptops, tablets, etc.)
Computers have offered a wealth of possibilities for students since they were first introduced to the classroom. It is a common misconception that computers can only be used in an IT context, however there are many applications that can aid students in all kinds of subjects such as literacy, numeracy, science, history, geography, etc.
Assigning portable computers to students offers two key advantages:
- A teacher can place limits on the applications and websites that students can access, ensuring that students are always using their school technology appropriately
- A student can personalise their learning experience outside of the classroom using a device that has been tailored to their curriculum
Smart Boards
Smart boards are used in the classroom as a high-tech alternative to the whiteboard. Typically, smart boards are whiteboards that project a computer’s UI on their surface, allowing the teacher to manipulate the computer using the board and their finger or a stylus with the shape and build of a marker.
This provides teachers with a fascinating and interactive method of presenting material to students. Instead of just writing or drawing on a whiteboard, teachers can use computer applications to engage their students. Additionally, smart boards do not require the cleaning that whiteboards do, which is always an added bonus.
3D Printers
3D printers are a relatively new technology with a wide range of uses. 3D printers use a 3D model to construct shapes out of plastic, metal and other materials. Not only do 3D printers allow for the visualisation of various constructs, but the process of 3D printing teaches students various concepts; such as rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, basic engineering, modelling in 3D software, etc.
It also helps that 3D printers can be used recreationally as well. When students have spare time, they can use a 3D printer to create props, toys and whatnot. 3D printing allows students to engage their creativity using advanced technology.
Presentation Clickers
Presentation clickers are typically used in university so that large numbers of students can interact directly with a lecture. They are small remotes with buttons that correspond with different answers to a multiple choice question. A lecturer will present a question with multiple options, at which point students will use their clicker to select one of the answers. The results will then be collated and presented on the next slide of the presentation.
This is effective because, not only does it allow a large number of students to interact with a presentation at once, but it allows a lecturer to instantly know whether students are understanding the material or they require more attention.
Assistive Peripheries
There are many conditions that affect a student’s learning capacity, such as communication impediments, hearing impairments, learning difficulties, physical impairments, sensory processing and regulation difficulties, vision problems, etc.
There are many different kinds of technology available to accommodate these conditions. These include communication boards, frequency modulation systems, writing guides and pen grips, ergonomic supports for different parts of the body, fidget toys and wobble chairs, and braille and large print books. That way, students with disabilities can learn from the same curriculum as everybody else without being left behind.
Teachers Technology - Software
Gamification Software
A lot of students are receptive to video games. Not only do video games engage their creativity and proclivity towards escapism, but they also provide a sense of achievement as users overcome obstacles and increase their stats.
There exists software that takes many aspects of gaming such as experience points, level progression, player customisation, etc. and applies them in an educational context. Students that engage with these kinds of software get that same sense of achievement, however they do so in a learning environment.
Multimedia Creation Applications
These days, it is easier to create content than ever before. Taking advantage of that in the classroom is a great way to teach students. Not all students want to learn a subject by writing essays and notes on it. Instead, there are software suites that allow students to create all kinds of media, including;
- Videos
- Podcasts
- Photo-collages
- Presentations
- Zines
Engaging students’ creativity is a great way to ensure that they retain information on subjects, as it allows them to use their lateral thinking to take in information in a way that best suits them.
Learning Management Systems
Learning Management Systems (LMS) aid in processing, archiving, tracking, reporting, and automating educational courses, training programs, and learning and development programs. There was a reliance on LMS during the COVID-19 pandemic, as online learning became the norm for every classroom.
However, outside of a pandemic context, there are many benefits to LMS’, such as providing students with independence and autonomy in how they approach their own learning. Additionally, LMS’ provide a resource hub that students can access at any time.
Online Conferencing Applications/Social Media Platforms
Much like with LMS’, these kinds of software really blew up in importance over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they also provide a wealth of potential for students, who can interact with teachers in the event that they need to miss school for any reason, as well as interact with fellow students from different schools and even different countries. Additionally, they encourage students to interact and be social, which makes them invaluable towards a students’ development.
What teachers technology does Intellischool provide?
Intellischool provides educators and learners with data analytics software that uses intuitive interfaces and automated data discovery to provide educational institutions with real-time, relevant data for every member of the learning community.
Albitros is an online analytics platform that can be utilised by teachers, students, school leaders, wellbeing teams, parents/guardians, data analysts, IT admins and school systems in order to provide valuable insights into learning, behaviour, business operations, and more.
Its features include:
- A holistic view of academic growth, thanks to its ability to consolidate data sources including NAPLAN, ACER, AAS / Allwell, and teacher judgements to visualise student aptitude, achievement and progress.
- Pulse, an automated early warning system that monitors and notifies important parties regarding areas of concern, whether it's student truancy, behavioural issues or overall academic performance.
- The ability to gain an understanding of the conditions that students flourish best in, based on factors such as different types of assessment, learning tools, and even teachers.
- A simple yet powerful interface that anybody can use, regardless of their previous experience with analytics.
Albitros is hosted on the Intellischool Data Platform which provides comprehensive data management tools. These tools simplify and automate data processes such as cleansing errors, warehousing data on the cloud for querying and analysing, distributing data between apps and services and auditing what apps access and interact with data.
The data platform provides:
- Easy data unification so institutions can collate data from a student information system (SIS), learning management system (LMS), Google Office 365, etc.
- Security protocols that allow your data to be accessed and protected based on parameters that you set.
- Workflow automation, integrating tools such as Microsoft Flow or Zapier to allow actions to be automatically triggered.
- Cloud data synchronisation, which synchronises cloud apps with up-to-date data with programs such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Office 365.
If you have any questions, contact us so we can help you optimise your education institution’s data.
Cover photo by Lagos Techie on Unsplash