Technology has become an indispensable part of learning practices. Computers have moved from labs to laptops, and tablets and smartphones continue to redefine the ways students and teachers engage in the classroom. A 2019 study from the Pew Research Center indicated that “mobile technology use has more than doubled…from 35% in 2011 to 81% in 2019.”

This level of saturation poses challenges for educators. Teachers have to make sure devices don’t distract students from classroom engagement. Furthermore, the rapid pace of innovation is such that schools and districts need to assess which technologies fit their needs and then provide training for the ones that do.

However, the benefits outweigh such challenges. When used in conjunction with thoughtful pedagogy, technology can transform a school into a digital classroom better suited to 21st century realities. This guide will proffer five ways for district leaders and educational changemakers to get the most from technology.

Augmented Reality
Augmented reality devices - like virtual-reality headsets - allow educators to expand the dimensions of the typical classroom. Furthermore, these devices or apps can be cheaper than textbooks. Many AR programs are also open source, which encourages PLCs to share and modify content according to their school or district.

Smart Boards/Tables
Smart boards, which feature cutting-edge touch and casting technology, give educators more options when presenting materials. And with student-centered smart tables that turn desks into interactive screens, teachers can flip classrooms and give students even more agency over their own learning.

Digital Textbooks
Digital course materials are often far less expensive for students - a company like Boundless is able to provide half of U.S. colleges with free textbooks - and are more accessible. They often adapt to a student’s preferred tablet or device, and they can more easily include options for specific spatial, processing, or learning disabilities.

Cameras
The prevalence of relatively inexpensive digital cameras offers exciting educational opportunities. Educators can attend virtual conferences from their own homes. And students can express what they’ve learned through video projects - they don’t have to limit themselves to conventional test-taking measures.

LMS / Online Platforms
Learning management systems or similar online platforms give school communities a wealth of tools for monitoring learning progress in real time. Programs like Google Classroom make rostering and importing student data fast and easy, and many others offer powerful auto-grading and shared teacher resources.

The end goal of technology use isn’t just connecting educators and learners to course materials. Rather, it’s ensuring that all become responsible digital citizens.

Additional Resources

Check out the following resources for more tips on getting the most from technology in your classrooms!

1. Augmented Reality in Education: Interactive Classrooms
2. 8 High-Tech Gadgets That Are Making Classrooms Smarter
3. 8 Strategies for Using Technology in the 21st Century Classroom | Resilient Educator
4. How Important Is Technology in Education? Benefits, Challenges, and Impact on Students
5. How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom
6. Technology Integration for the New 21st Century Learner
7. Technology in the Classroom: the Benefits of Smart Boards
8. 10 Best Examples Of VR And AR In Education
9. 10 Must-Have Tech Gadgets for Teachers in the Classroom for 2019
10. 10 Teacher Picks for Best Tech Tools
11. Top 5 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom
12. 20 Classroom Technology Tools You Might Not Know
13. Virtual Reality in Education: Benefits, Tools, and Resources
14. Why technology is essential to a 21st century education

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