The new and the tried of 2024

Key points:

It's 2024! The whiteboards, heavy textbooks, and other analog tools of the past have no place in today's schools. Over the last few decades, technology applied in the classroom has grown by leaps and bounds. This fits very well with the fact that today's students are full digital natives who instinctively know smart devices.

Of course, educational technology involves much more than allowing computers in the classroom. School administrators must continually be alert to emerging technologies that can increase student engagement, retain knowledge, and make learning more accessible.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-new-technology-is-out-there-and-being-tested-in-the-classroom”>What new technology exists and is being tested in the classroom?

Once upon a time, the school computer lab was a mysterious room frequented by technology enthusiasts and hobbyists. Today, teachers and students have full access to smartphones, tablets or laptops in all classes. As a result, we are seeing a variety of new technologies being tested and used in the classroom to support different learning styles.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cloud-technology“>cloud technology

Cloud-based software means computers take up less space than before. It also allows schools to switch from desktop computers to more portable devices like tablets and laptops.

Additionally, students can open cloud-based applications on any school computer and retrieve their saved files by logging into their accounts. If the school's IT administrator allows it, students can even work on their projects at home using remote web logins.

Finally, cloud technology drives remote learning, which helped save education during the lockdown days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue to reduce lost days and downtime due to inclement weather or other interruptions. Instead, students and teachers can meet online and continue their work through files available in the cloud.

Hybrid classes

However, advances in computing and networking technology have allowed educational systems to adopt a hybrid learning model. Those who can will meet in person, while others will attend virtually through the class video conferencing portal.

Hybrid classes offer numerous benefits. For example, it gives teachers the flexibility to create a personalized approach to learning. Both teachers and students with health concerns can attend class safely. And for students, it makes school more accessible and affordable and reduces absenteeism.

Active learning

Lectures and memorization are taking a backseat active learning. technology in the classroom, such as tablets, virtual reality (VR), and interactive whiteboards, make learning more engaging.

For example, virtual reality headsets offer unique hands-on training at no cost or risk. By modeling real-world scenarios, students can get hours of practice under close supervision. The virtual environment also gives them unlimited opportunities to successfully perform a procedure.

Tablets and interactive smart boards also encourage active learning through games, competitions, and role-playing. To be successful, active learning relies heavily on student participation. New technology allows students to participate in the way they are most comfortable.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-existing-tried-and-true-technology-delivers-the-best-learning-experience”>What existing tried-and-true technology offers the best learning experience?

A fundamental part of the modern learning process depends on the hardware used in the classroom. Dry erase whiteboards and markers are foreign to preschoolers who already know how to use touch screens. Similarly, a bulb projector and VHS player are much more distracting than the HD-quality video screens kids have at home.

Students need devices in the classroom that reflect what they see in the real world, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Modern technology in the classroom requires advanced equipment that digital natives are familiar with.

The continued decline in prices of LED and touchscreen technologies has led to the popularity of smart TVs and interactive whiteboards in classrooms. Aside from their relative affordability, interactive touch screens offer the best learning experiences for students who grew up using smartphones and tablets at home.

Touch screen technology allows teachers and students to fully engage in active learning. Multi-touch capabilities allow the entire class to participate in group activities that promote collaboration and cooperation while encouraging competition. More importantly, students are technology-can-improve-student-engagement/115287/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>much more attentive when they use touch screen technology. Better engagement means they will learn more and retain knowledge longer.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-considerations-for-managing-technology-in-the-classroom”>Considerations for managing technology in the classroom

Interactive touch screens and other educational technology hardware are important investments for school districts. As such, they require care and maintenance like any other equipment. At the same time, smart devices are prone to hacking attempts by both bored students and third parties. Purchase reliable device management software to safeguard this investment and protect your classroom technology.

Software-based devices require constant updates to the operating system (OS), firmware, and installed applications. But updating and maintaining every device in every classroom can be inefficient and time-consuming. Instead, device management software can perform updates and maintenance remotely on just one or two devices or across the entire fleet. You can also schedule updates after school hours to minimize interruptions. This means the units are always up to date and ready to go.

Additionally, a strong device administrator can protect each device from unauthorized users by assigning different levels of access to end users. For example, students can only run and operate official learning applications and will not have access to the operating system or student files. Instructors can access the content management system and edit student performance reports. Meanwhile, administrators can view student and teacher profiles, monitor learning modules, and collect device usage data. These are valuable sources of knowledge that can help improve future school performance.

More importantly, device management software can protect devices from unwanted attention. Reports of unauthorized login attempts will be met with bans and device shutdowns. When threatened with data theft, administrators can simply shut down devices remotely or initiate data deletion procedures. If devices are lost, administrators can use geolocation services to find them.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-education-technology-in-the-classroom-is-here-to-stay”>Educational technology in the classroom is here to stay

Today's students deserve modern technologies that adapt to their learning styles and tendencies. Digital natives in particular need an educational system that utilizes their natural medium of instruction. This means using smart devices like tablets, laptops, and interactive whiteboards to encourage participation and drive engagement.

For schools and school districts, improving learning facilities and equipment is a matter of making wise investment decisions. When purchasing smart educational technology equipment, leave room in the budget for the right device managers to keep everything in order. Doing so will ensure that both teachers and students get the most out of classroom technology.