10 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom

There are many benefits of technology in the classroom. From accessibility to increased personalization and rich digital resources, teachers are learning how to use technology best to meet the needs of their diverse student population. 

In Instructure’s State of Teaching & Learning in K-12 Education Research, 86% of teachers, parents, and educators believe using educational technology resources impacts students' success. Recently, classrooms have seen tremendous growth in technology use, which has come with growing pains, but the benefits of committing to long-term technology outweigh the risks.

“Now, more than ever, we recognize that digital tools are a great way to honor, respect, and provide equitable experiences for all students. It is a great way to give them what they need when they need it.”–Nancy Brightwell, Cheif Academic Officer at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Let’s dig into some of the many benefits of using technology in the classroom today.

#1 Increases Student Engagement

Students are engaging with technology outside of school. Educators can embrace this reality and use technology to cultivate interactive and creative learning experiences for their students in the classroom. Video, for instance, can inspire and spark conversation in today’s students.

#2 Establishes Consistency

A shared environment, like a learning management system, for every student, teacher, and guardian creates a place for connection and consistency. For most of history, this place has been the physical classroom. However, modern tools can recreate this familiarity in a digital environment.

“Canvas LMS can be the single landing place where you add all the digital curricula, content, and tools to support student learning, so students don't have to go to multiple places to find what they need.” –Trenton Goble, VP of K-12 Strategy at Instructure.

#3 Opens Communication Lines

Administrators face different challenges than their students, teachers, and families. For schools to operate smoothly, each of these parties needs to feel comfortable communicating about their challenges and confident they can reach out for support. Students know they can get help outside the physical classroom, and parents stay informed about their student’s learning (i.e., by using observer status to keep a pulse on what’s happening in the classroom). Administrators can offer support to teachers and families through the avenue that works best for their community, such as:

• Office Hours

• Phone & Email Support

• Newsletters

• Remind App

“Creating synchronous support made us [administrators] available to them [teachers and families]." Dr. Lisa Gilbert, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction at Kern County Schools

#4 Streamlines Feedback

To grow, students need to hear feedback from their teachers; the sooner they receive it, the better. Teachers, on the other hand, have a lot on their plate. Technology features like SpeedGrader can help teachers quickly provide feedback when and where students need it most.

#5 Eases Student Anxiety

Technology can either amplify or alleviate anxiety. Answering the Fundamental Five, such as what students need to do when they need to do it and where they can reach out for support, helps educators accomplish the latter.

#6 Allows for Data-Informed Action

The right technology gives teachers the data they need when they need it most.

“For us, the focus is on real-time formative data. That is what is most meaningful. That is what we want to be able to work around. We can respond to needs more quickly than relying solely on end-of-the-year data. That is helpful, and we need to look at it, and we need to look for patterns and trends and address the issues we see there, but for us, it is more about real-time, what is happening now.” Nancy Brightwell, Chief Academic Officer at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

A practical assessment management system is one way to access real-time information so educators can intervene efficiently.

#7 Boosts College & Career Readiness

Technology is integral to our world. Connecting students with the right technology empowers them to take ownership of their learning in the present and prepares them for future success.

“We are thinking about our demographic and want to encourage as many students as possible to pursue post-secondary opportunities. It helps our teachers to embrace ‘the why’ when they learn that all our community colleges across our state are utilizing Canvas LMS.”–Dr. Lisa Gilbert, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction at Kern County Schools

#8 Facilitates Collaboration

Classrooms without technology are bound to the time in the physical classroom for collaboration. Using technology makes students, teachers, and their families accessible beyond the confines of the building, whether through Zoom or Team meetings virtually or using Google Docs to work together on a project. Both foster collaboration and comments, version history, and activity in these tools inform teachers about who is contributing and who needs to engage.

#9 Reduces Paper Waste

Paper is still a valuable resource for schools. Estimates report that a typical school will use over 2,000 sheets of paper daily. Using digital resources and tech tools can save:

• Educators' time at the printer

• Students the stress of scouring folders for the correct sheet of paper to turn in

• Schools the cost of ink, toner, and reams of paper

• Excess paper from being thrown into the recycling bin

#10 Personalizes Learning

Each student’s preferred learning path is unique. Technology provides opportunities to differentiate instruction and personalize learning by offering students multiple assignment submission types or a variety of mediums through which to learn new material. (i.e., Videos, podcasts, articles, etc.)  

“Some things we have leveraged extensively are understanding how important digital content is and truly personalizing learning for students.”–Nancy Brightwell, Chief Academic Officer at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

How to Prepare Students for the Digital World

Schools like Kern County continue to wonder how they can better prepare students for the increasingly digital world they'll grow into. Specific examples of how to get started with technology in the classroom can help outline the next steps for putting students on the path to lifelong success.

“We are graduating our students into a [digital] world. And these are the skillsets that we need to be helping them learn and apply…Do we not have a responsibility to ensure that our students are familiar with them? So that they can focus on the content they are learning, use the tools to dig deeper, collaborate online, and do all the wonderful things that Canvas LMS allows us to do.”–Dr. Lisa Gilbert, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction at Kern County Schools

Examples of Technology in the Classroom

Many effective technology tools are accessible and built with educators and students in mind. 

The modern classroom is no longer limited to blackboards and overhead projectors. Educators power their classrooms with a wide variety of tools and platforms that enrich the learning experience for students. Let's explore some common examples.

Textbooks

E-textbooks are now commonplace in many of today's classrooms and accessible from any device. They come with interactive features such as multimedia, hyperlinks, and search functions. The digital shift over the years has made learning more engaging and contributed to reducing the physical weight of backpacks and promote environmental sustainability.

Online Courses

The rise of platforms like Nearpod and Khan Academy signifies the growing importance of personalize online learning content in courses. These platforms offer courses on a variety of topics, allow students to learning at their own pace by rewinding lessons and accessing learning materials from anywhere. Online courses break geographical barriers, making high-quality education accessible to students everywhere.

Learning Management Systems

Canvas is a prime example of an LMS transforming education. It is the digital hub for teachers to organize courses, grade assignments, and communicate with students. Canvas streamlines the learning process with features such as quizzes, discussion boards, and integrations with other tools loved by teachers and students. It supports learning everywhere it happens, both in the hybrid or in the physical classroom.

Graphic Design Tools

Today's classrooms are full of tomorrow's creatives. Tools like Adobe Spark and Canva allow students (and teachers!) to tap into their creativity and showcase what they know in a variety of innovative ways such as videos, infographics, and posters. Educators can similarly use these tools to customize their online classrooms and create inspiring lessons.

Tablets

Tablets are a staple in many classrooms that keep students connected to the digital content they need to succeed. iPads are one example that many schools use to take their blended learning strategies to the next level.

Video Conferencing Tools

Tools like Zoom and Google Meet bring everyone together easily no matter where they're located. Teachers can also use these tools to broaden the horizons of their classroom by creating virtual field trip experiences for their students and hosting guest speakers who may not otherwise be able to attend in person.

All in all, a massive benefit of technology in the classroom is student success. To learn more about tackling the challenges associated with technology in the classroom, download your free copy of Removing Roadblocks to Teaching with Technology.