It’s that time of the year again as students and teachers have begun a new school year. As a former elementary school teacher, I understand just how stressful it can be preparing for back-to-school season, from planning effective lessons to ensuring that every student reaches his or her potential. In today’s age of constant progress, teachers, students and parents alike are able to reap the benefits of the latest and greatest technology.
Here are 6 exciting ways that technology is working in classrooms of today.
Research
When students (or teachers) have a question, the answer is most likely just a few keystrokes away. How far away is the sun? Google has the answer. What did Irish music from the 19th century sound like? YouTube will let you listen in. What is the definition of ubiquitous? Dictionary.com can fill you in. The only catch is that there are a lot of websites out there – make sure that the one being used is a reliable source!
Google Docs
Using Google Docs, students are able to collaborate on projects outside of school and access their homework assignments online (which may even include watching a video that the teacher has posted) from a class website. Parents are able to access classroom information, assignments, and teaching materials from home. Teachers can easily plan and refer to school documents from the comfort of their own homes during the evenings and weekends.
Video Chats
Twenty years ago, we were composing handwritten letters to our pen pals across the country and watching the mailbox each day for answers back. If we were lucky, the envelope might even contain a snapshot of our pen pal. Today, emails most likely replace handwritten letters and students are able to “meet” their long-distance peers via video chat. How cool is that?
Podcasts
Students can create their own podcasts as an updated version of the old-fashioned book report – or any type of report, for that matter. They can also listen to podcasts on a variety of different subject matter, from current events to history to economics. Here is a guide to using podcasts in the classroom from ReadWriteThink.org.
Social Media
At first glance, it may seem that social media doesn’t belong at school, but I would argue that social media does have a time and a place in the classroom. Whether you are using Twitter to track hashtags related to current events or Pinterest to gather resources for the report you are working on, social media can bring a new level of information and organization to the classroom.
Classroom Website or Blog
A classroom website is useful for keeping families informed, with the potential to post a calendar of events, photos of learning in progress, and links to other useful information. A class blog takes the website a step further, giving students a chance to publish their writing. My husband, also a teacher, just started a classroom blog and it’s getting rave reviews from families already. If you are interested in starting a blog, take a look here for some platform options.
So there you have it: 6 fun ways to make school more exciting with technology. How have you seen technology used in the classroom? We’d love to hear your ideas on Twitter @L-TronCorp.
Hats off to a great school year!
About the Author:
Carmella Giancursio is L-Tron’s Public Relations Specialist & Content Editor. When she’s not working, spending time with her husband, or taking care of her 3 young kids, she can be found in the kitchen, channeling her Italian heritage! Email info@L-Tron.com with questions, or call us at (800) 830-9523.