{"id":6781,"date":"2024-09-12T19:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T23:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nearpod.com\/blog\/?p=6781"},"modified":"2024-09-12T19:06:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T23:06:50","slug":"tech-applications-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nearpod.com\/blog\/tech-applications-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Benefits of technology in the classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why is using technology in the classroom important? The answer lies in the numerous advantages of technology. While it can be interesting to look at the current state of technology in education, once you blink, the landscape has most likely changed. Think back to the state of technology when you were a student, and you may have fond memories of sophisticated calculators, the Oregon Trail, or Mavis Beacon. The use of technological tools has transformed the traditional learning process, making it more engaging and interactive. Technology enhances the teaching and learning experience but also keeps up with the rapid pace of technological development. Students are more connected and motivated, especially with the rapid pace of technological development and social media’s impact. Nearpod<\/a> itself has already been a teacher favorite for more than ten years with the mission of creating meaningful learning experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New to Nearpod? Make sure you\u2019re signed up to access these lessons and activities!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers can sign up for free below to access and create interactive lessons. Administrators can schedule a call with an expert to unlock the full power of Nearpod for schools and districts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teachers: Sign up for free<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Administrators: Schedule a call<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has COVID impacted technology in the classroom?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While a March survey by the EdWeek Research Center<\/a> reported that almost half of the 386 teacher respondents felt that their ability to use technology during the 2020-2021 school year had \u201cimproved a lot,\u201d many laments noted that it was a bit of a firehose of \u201cnew\u201d due to the dire situation. Teachers reported being tech-fatigued between personal and professional use. Whether referred to as screen fatigue, digital fatigue, or technostress, the burnout<\/a> was real as teachers faced exhausting and stressful hours adjusting to the parameters of hybrid and remote learning. As a result, it\u2019s important to prioritize supporting teachers\u2019 well-being<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Graphic by MindWires<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For too long, tech companies have focused on what was defined as “early adopters,” educators who traditionally were more likely to jump into “the new.” Now, ed-tech providers are becoming more cognizant of reaching all educators to provide a deeper, more meaningful experience with said tools and platforms as they look toward the future of technology in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter LaCasse of Carnegie Learning recommends, \u201cTeachers\u2019 familiarity with technology has opened the door for better integration of these tools into their daily lesson-planning and instructional strategies. However, we, the tech developers, don\u2019t want to make the mistake of immediately developing super-sophisticated tools because we will once again leap ahead of what our teachers truly want.\u201d In addition, 78% of K-12 administrators are considering increasing their investments over the next five years to sustain existing technologies versus 55% investing in new ones, according to a survey by the EdWeek Research Center. With the rapid evolution, the learning curve will continue to be steep, so now is the time to consider how best to go deeper, not broader, in adopting technology in the classroom while also preventing tech fatigue<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore teacher self care tips<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Does technology get in the way of learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sure, digital technologies can make a lot of \u201cnoise,\u201d literally and figuratively, with the pings and beeps and ever-steady input of multimedia. However, like any diet, screen time is most impactful when quality is considered over quantity. As digital technologies are introduced, educators and families alike need to reiterate the skill sets around digital citizenship<\/a>; how to be responsible, respectful, and safe when online. Too often,<\/a> kids aren\u2019t developmentally ready for the access that the Internet provides, so kids need \u201crules of the road\u201d so that they are thoughtful and intentional when using technology for learning (and fun!) While no longer remote, classrooms can still embrace technology to complement the teacher, not substitute. Educators need continual training to ensure that technology is being used to make their pedagogy more efficient, more engaging, and more effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this digital age, the benefits of technology in education are evident. Technological tools empower educators to personalize lessons and adapt to individual learning styles, creating a dynamic and effective learning environment. Therefore, the use of technology in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing the educational experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Benefits of technology in education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is less of a debate is the many benefits of technology in the classroom when used well \u2014 from increasing student engagement to adapting to multiple learning styles and needs to individualizing and personalizing learning, to developing future career and life skills, technology has found a permanent place in our learning infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Integration of technology in education simply refers to the use of technology to enhance the student learning experience. Utilizing different types of technology in the classroom, including a virtual classroom, creates learners who are actively engaged with learning objectives. The implementation of technology also creates pathways for differentiated instruction to meet the unique needs of students as individual learners within a broader classroom climate.”<\/p>Drexel University School of Education<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

1. Streamline workflows by keeping resources all in one place<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When exploring why is technology important in the classroom, let\u2019s start with the logistics. Technology in the classroom provides ample opportunity to streamline workflows for both you and your students. Nearpod offers multiple solutions in one streamlined platform. You can create slide-based lessons or videos with embedded interactive activities and assessments. Students can follow along on their own devices while the teacher has access to their responses in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Nearpod has 22,000+ premade standards-aligned lessons, videos, and activities for all K-12 subjects, featuring trusted publishers. By digitizing worksheets, lessons, and assignments, you no longer have to depend on loose sheets of paper, grade everything manually, and use multiple websites at once. Using technology in the classroom benefits teachers by allowing them to organize and categorize content, ensuring both teachers and students have quality access to resources “just in time” and “on the go.” Being such an inclusive platform means that you can house and manage activities, content, and resources with just a few clicks, all from your single account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore the lesson library<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bringing back an old favorite from virtual learning\u2026@nearpod<\/a>!! We got back into the groove during our math practice with Draw It, a \u201cquiz,\u201d and Time to Climb. You may have heard these mathematicians cheering from down the hall!!\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffc @lisa_minutoli<\/a> @cveschargers<\/a> #cvesbettertogether<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Ri0EJkuC4p<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Jen Roney (Kreis) (@MrsRoneysRoom) March 16, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>