Not every student learns in the same way, but we often prescribe to an antiquated understanding of education that’s highly structured and driven by strict and often biased goal posts. Ed Tech could change that. It opens the doors to a number of different possibilities that upend our traditional understanding of learning, and we’re only beginning to see the broad potential that these tools offer. Educators are beginning to incorporate these tools to their students in creative ways.
Letting the Students Lead
Students with disabilities can often feel out of place in a school system that’s catered to a narrow and specific curriculum, but Ed Tech allows every student to take advantage of self-directed teaching. Students with social difficulties are often more likely to open up when they can communicate online rather than in person, and the inclusion of software into the curriculum not only gives them more focused resources to relate to. It also allows for students to develop at their own pace in a way that a stricter and more traditional approach to lesson plans and lectures can’t accommodate.
The Classroom as a Team
That traditional and highly structured standard for education is one that’s often authoritarian at its core. A teacher leads the students in lesson plans, and those that succeed are the ones that best follow directions. Access to computers circumvents this narrow approach. Instead of district mandated textbooks and the teacher serving as the only gateways to knowledge, students have a vast repository of information at their fingertips. Some teachers are taking these tools to heart, allowing students to exploit this vast sea of information and pursue their own studies rather than strictly follow the demands of administrators. When working at its best, the result is active learners who all feel like they have a stake in steering the ship.
Stronger Direct Engagement
Teaching to an entire class means that teachers often don’t have time to dedicate to students on an individual level. It’s a structure that appeals to the median, creating an environment where those ahead of the curve often feel restricted and those behind don’t receive the help they need. With Ed Tech, teachers can communicate more directly with each student and provide them with the resources and insight they need to succeed on assignments. Platforms like Google Classroom allow students, teachers, and parents to more readily track progress and identify potential impediments along the way. These platforms can also allow students to approach assessments at their own pace without having to worry about the stress of testing in the classroom.