The benefits of technology in schools is one that few people will argue with, even in today’s opinionated society. From using technology to support home school education to in-classroom interactive multimedia teaching aids. And no one who lived through the recent pandemic can deny that without embracing technology our children would never have been able to continue with their education during lockdown. With that said, let’s explore the many and varied benefits of technology in schools and technology in the classrooms.
Disclaimer: This post may contain links that I have been compensated for including.
The benefits of technology in the schools in 2021.
With more and more emphasis on STEM education, it is necessary to use technology in schools in order to get a complete education. Technology has made classrooms more interactive and engaging. In this day and age, it is hard to imagine a world without technology. It has become an integral part of our lives. Therefore, schools need to make sure that they are using it to their advantage by integrating it with curriculums.
Technology can make learning easier for children by providing multimedia features in their textbooks that keep them engaged throughout the lesson. You can also use video games as an educational tool that help the child learn while having fun!
The benefits of technology in schools are innumerable. It creates a stimulating environment for students because they are constantly exposed to new things while having fun at the same time! The influence of technology has spread across every single sector in every single country of the world.
I myself am studying for my master’s degree at York St John University, and the entire programme is being delivered online with students based all over the world on one cohort, and none of the students enrolled has ever set foot inside a classroom for this degree.
Why is technology important in education?
It’s not going anywhere. Technology is here to stay because it makes things faster, simpler and more effective. Whilst some things cannot be taught with technology, most things can be enhanced by it.
Let’s consider an old-fashioned nature walk. That can’t be replicated by technology – but technology can be used after the walk to research and identify types of flowers or birds, or species of trees. In this way, technology is so intertwined with our learning experiences, that it’s definitely something that needs to be embraced in schools.
Even homeschooling parents would likely use a GPS or map on their phones when going on a woodland walk, embracing outdoor learning yet still using technology to support their education program.
As your child grows and eventually leaves school, their skills on the computer will certainly determine their career path. Even non-technical careers require good knowledge of computer programmes and if your child has an interest in computer technology, it’s a good idea to encourage this from an early age.
The Benefits of Outdoor Learning As Part of Your Child’s Education
The Importance of Extra-Curricular Activities In School
How schools help
This private school in Oxford has a rigorous IT curriculum and from the very early years, pupils learn to navigate increasingly sophisticated technology. It’s vital that children get this experience and in school, with specialist support, they can learn to challenge themselves on a regular basis.
The skills which children learn via consistent IT lessons are invaluable in both their personal and professional lives. Remember that all children take on technology with varying degrees of pleasure – some will naturally enjoy and embrace the challenge whilst others will struggle.
So, it’s important to ensure they have good access to computers at home. Although some parents may prefer to limit their child’s access to technology, it’s vital that they get plenty of opportunities to engage in educational activities via various devices.
The 4 Main Benefits of Technology in Schools
Let’s break down the 4 main benefits of technology in schools no matter where in the world you are.
1. Technology in the Classroom Improves Learning Outcomes
Technology in the classroom is a very popular topic in the educational field. There are many different opinions about it, but one thing is for sure – it improves learning outcomes.
Studies show that when students use digital tools in the classroom, they learn more and they hold a greater understanding of what they are learning. This is because technology engages students more than traditional methods and it also creates an environment that allows them to work at their own pace which makes them feel more confident and comfortable.
A study by The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development found that “students who had used computers for instruction were better at problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking skills than their counterparts who had not” (PISA).
2. Computers Can Enhance Student Engagement and Attention Span
The more often students are engaged with computers during school, the more likely they are to spend time on academic tasks later on. There is a correlation between student engagement and their attention span. The longer a student is engaged with an activity, the better they usually perform on it.
With this in mind, computer use in schools should be increased so that students can feel more comfortable and confident when using them outside of the classroom setting. Most children are comfortable using a smartphone, a tablet or a gaming console, but are less confident using an actual laptop or computer.
3. Digital Tools Allow Students to Communicate Easier and More Effectively
Digital tools have become a key component of the way that students learn and communicate. They allow for more collaboration, socialization, and individualization in classrooms.
The benefits of technology in schools and the use of digital tools in schools has exponentially increased over the years. The need to integrate digital skills into curriculum and teaching practices is being recognized as more important than ever before. Digital literacy is now seen as a skill that needs to be taught.
As educators are recognizing how important these skills are for how students will eventually live and work, they are integrating them into their lesson plans to ensure all types of learners can continue to thrive in our worldwide connected society.
4. Digital Technology Enables Greater Collaboration Among Students& Teachers
Digital technology has given rise to a new collaborative environment for teachers and students. One of the key benefits of this new collaborative environment is that it provides the opportunity for learners to learn from each other in a more productive way. This is definitely one of the most important benefits of technology in schools, the ability for learners to collaborate and work together online, virtually.
The digital age has given rise to a new collaborative environment for teachers and learners at schools and universities. One of the key benefits of this new collaborative environment is that it provides the opportunity for learners to learn from each other in a more productive way. This means that one learner can teach another, or many can learn together from different experts through video conferencing or social media tools
How to balance screen time and online learning with not being on screen
Parents must make sure they set strict guidelines about how much time their children spend on screens and what types of content they are allowed to be exposed to. It is important that parents monitor their children’s screen time so they can work together with them on what is appropriate for them at their age.
As the world moves more and more towards a digital lifestyle, it becomes difficult to balance and strike a healthy balance between learning in the physical and online environments.
Click the image below to get your FREE ‘Before Screen time Checklist’ to help manage your children’s screen time, created by Chanene from Tonic & Tiaras
It’s going to be up to us as parents to ensure that our children get the right about of learning online, versus screen time for fun, and also off-screen time. There are many ways to learn and develop that don’t require technology, especially in young children and their formative years. Remember, a screen can’t teach a child how to hold a knife and fork, or how to thread beads on a string and these fine-motor skills are equally if not more important than being able to code. In my opinion anyway.
Whilst the world is definitely moving toward being more reliant on technology, and the benefits of technology in schools is clear, not every career that a person gravitates towards and makes a career of is always, strictly digital. Again, it’s about striking that balance.
Technology offers benefits to other industries, but the education industry doesn’t take advantage of those benefits to the maximum extent. Thanks to the pandemic, the roles have now been reversed, like every institution, irrespective of its student population or class size has switched to online teaching or distance education.
The blog covered every aspect of the subject in detail, especially how to manage screen time, as it was important for parents to understand. Having the information you shared with us was extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing it with us.