Technology has completely changed the classroom in many ways. Not only has it transformed how it looks and empowered teachers with better tools, technology has also made learning much more interactive.
The more interactive learning is, the more engaged the student. So we looked at some ways in which technology has taken learning to new places, increased student involvement, and adapted to world-changing events.

Increasing student engagement

Engaging students in the classroom is one of the big challenges facing teachers. But studies have shown that interactive lessons that entertain have a higher engagement. Interactive learning sharpens critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and boosts imagination and creativity,

By using new gadgets and tools, teachers can give students a more interactive role in the classroom. Students can become information seekers and critical thinkers, instead of the traditional passive learner. They can use personal interests and enthusiasm to dictate the rhythm of the class.

Technology has also now given students the ability to anonymously ask questions and raise concerns in real-time. Interactive controls give them more freedom to get involved, and this in turn gives the instructor the ability to tailor the materials and the teaching to the class.

Interactive displays

Nowhere has the classroom evolved more than in their use of displays. The evolution from blackboard to whiteboard took decades, now we are seeing an explosion of displays and screens in a few short years. Audio-visual technology has completely transformed how lessons are now taught.

Audio-visual equipment has opened so much opportunity for educational technology to enhance learning. Two-thirds of the population have a visual memory, which shows the need for more advanced visual presentation of information.

Interactive displays hold the key to keeping students engaged. After all, the average student’s attention span is between 10-15 minutes, whereas lectures can last as long as 90 minutes. Now they can absorb information in audio, pictures, and video. This makes lectures a hive of creative activity.

Active learning

If we want children and young adults to succeed in their career, then it’s important to adopt an educational approach that’s both dynamic and flexible. And technology has an important part to play, especially a new approach called active learning.

Classrooms that have embraced active learning are full of creativity. Students are chatting and working together, discovering new possibilities, and asking questions. They open themselves to new experiences and create new solutions to the challenges they’ve been given.

Active learning means putting the student at the centre, instead of the teacher. To achieve this, students need tools and access to media and learning content. The more a classroom reflects the digital world we live in, the more it can embrace active learning and empower students.

Remote learning

Remote and distance learning was a growing trend before Covid. Now it has been adopted almost overnight by thousands of institutions. This ability to create a blended classroom that can cope with a mix of learning situations has relied on education technology adapting alongside.

Giving students the tools to interact whilst remote learning is a big pressure for teachers everywhere. Learning loss during the last year has been a big concern for institutions, making virtual engagement and instructions on remote-learning best practices top priority.

At minimum, students will be able to interact when they have access to devices. Being able to access a tech-based curriculum is vital is they want to stay on top of their studies. These can include Chromebooks, iPads, laptops, tablets, interactive touchscreens, and possibly VR devices.