Technology in the Classroom – Harmful or Helpful?

From touchscreens on white boards to smart tables, to iPads in the classroom, today's schools are embracing technology more and more each years in order to engage the mobile generation of students. It's a well-known fact that kids gravitate towards technology and in a world where video games and Facebook has taken over playing outside, it seems like kids should be finding it easier than ever to succeed in school. However, as more and more schools begin to embrace technology, test scores remain the same, therefore leading people to question its effectiveness.

Is It Helpful?

Commonly, educators who receive new technology must first learn how to use the equipment and then decide whether or not it supports the class curriculum. Regardless of test scores, there are still many proven benefits in incorporating technology into education – from math games that adjust the difficulty level as players progress to electronic books that talk and respond to students right at their classroom desks. These pieces of technology make for an interactive learning experience while freeing up time in the classroom so teachers can focus on spending more time on teaching.

More Benefits

According to David Vinca, founder and executive director of eSpark Learning, an education company that focuses on bringing iPads and iPods into the classroom, "After school and weekend time can become effective learning time with the right technology." Therefore, learning hours extend into the weekend and afterschool for kids who have fun while learning with these computer programs. Another benefit is that educators are able to track and assess student progress with technology. Data-driven information can be derived from many pieces of technology used in the classroom and is valuable information for teachers to revise and review and therefore adapt their curriculum according to their students' needs.

So while the test results may not show a massive difference, technology has the opportunity to completely revamp the way students learn in the classroom by engaging them correctly.

Is It Helpful?

Commonly, educators who receive new technology must first learn how to use the equipment and then decide whether or not it supports the class curriculum. Regardless of test scores, there are still many proven benefits in incorporating technology into education – from math games that adjust the difficulty level as players progress to electronic books that talk and respond to students right at their classroom desks. These pieces of technology make for an interactive learning experience while freeing up time in the classroom so teachers can focus on spending more time on teaching.

More Benefits

According to David Vinca, founder and executive director of eSpark Learning, an education company that focuses on bringing iPads and iPods into the classroom, "After school and weekend time can become effective learning time with the right technology." Therefore, learning hours extend into the weekend and afterschool for kids who have fun while learning with these computer programs. Another benefit is that educators are able to track and assess student progress with technology. Data-driven information can be derived from many pieces of technology used in the classroom and is valuable information for teachers to revise and review and therefore adapt their curriculum according to their students' needs.

So while the test results may not show a massive difference, technology has the opportunity to completely revamp the way students learn in the classroom by engaging them correctly.

Preschool or No Preschool? The Pros and Cons

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than half of all 4 year olds in the United States regularly attend center-based early childhood programs. Many parents question whether or not to send their child to preschool and must outweigh the pros and cons before making their decision. It's important to keep in mind that not attending preschool is not synonymous with not learning but provides kids with the jumpstart to an educational setting. Let's take a look at the specific pros and cons of preschool.

 

Pros of Preschool
Preschools are the more traditional route to early education. Obviously, the educational setting will not be a rigorous one but can be a way for kids to start getting into the "school mode". The educational environment of preschool tables, neatly stacked toys, and a scheduled day will help them in Kindergarten. The most obvious benefit of preschool is the socialization that your child will receive. Your child will meet new, unfamiliar people and become acquainted with other adults (teachers) and children who may be different from them. Preschool also prepares your child for school and should build his or her confidence with new surroundings, people, and challenges. Preschools also provide a large range of activities to help introduce and develop independence, as well as new skillsets and interests. 

Cons of Preschool
While there aren't many, there are a few cons to preschool. It's possible that your child will learn from and maybe even imitate negative actions witnessed from other children. Children influence other children but if you ensure your child understands what is considered good and bad behavior, it could be a learning experience for him or her. Bullying can also occur in preschools but again, might be a good learning experience for your child to understand early on. There is also the option of homeschooling for those parents who don't want their child to attend preschool. A homeschooled child might not receive the same socialization benefits as a child who attends traditional preschool but can still learn and develop through activities and lessons. Those who choose to homeschool should find a way to supplement their child's social development with extracurricular activities.

It's important that preschool does not guarantee a smooth transition to kindergarten, but gives your child the ability to interact with others, challenge themselves, experience a new environment, and give them the opportunity to build a scholastic mindset. Outweigh the pros and cons carefully and do your research on reputable schools before deciding whether preschool is right for your child and your family.

5 Ways You Can Affect Your Students’ Learning Process

As a teacher, you have a lot of influence over your students and one of your biggest responsibilities is to make sure that everyone is learning what they need to in order to pass the class.  Structuring your lesson plan, or even designing your school furniture a certain way, can affect what each student gets out of your class.  The trick is to find a balance so that no child is left behind.

Differentiated Instruction
As a teacher, you will come to recognize that no student is the same.  While some students may excel in one area of learning, others may find it difficult to grasp that same concept.  The philosophy of differentiated instruction looks to meet students on their level.  To students, reading from a boring textbook can get stale after a short period of time, and while the standard textbook is not without its merits, adding other forms of media to educate students can do wonders for the learning process.  Excerpts from books, magazines, even film clips can help reinforce the points made in textbooks and can help along the students that learn in different ways.

Balanced Literacy
Similar in philosophy to differentiated instruction, balanced literacy works to meet students at their reading skills by differentiating how text is presented and absorbed in class.  If you think back to your elementary school days, you’ll recognize that the class structure was not like a college lecture.  Texts were read aloud as a class, in groups, and even silently.  Balanced literacy recognizes that students can excel at a number of different reading processes and tries to encompass all of that.

The Design of Your Classroom
It may not be apparent to you, but the arrangement of your school furniture can affect the flow of your classroom as well as the ways in which your children learn.  For example, if you decide to arrange the students’ desks in rows, this leans to a more lecture-based form of learning.  In contrast, if you want a classroom that encourages group discussion, bunching the students into small groups may be the best course of action.  You may have to put up with more off-topic conversation, especially in younger students, but it has a huge advantage in the ability to stimulate conversation between students and for the sharing of ideas.

Teacher-Centric vs. Student-Centric
If you were to look at your lesson plan as an overview, would it revolve around instruction or discussion?  This is essentially the difference between a teacher-centric classroom and a student-centric classroom.  While neither philosophy is inherently good or bad, it can determine whether or not your students are getting exactly what you had hoped they’d get at the beginning of the year.  As there is a place for both lecture and discussion, it is always a good idea to balance out both philosophies.

Sticking to a Routine
While it may sound monotonous and boring, sticking to a routine is one of the best ways to assure that time in your classroom is not wasted and the students are sticking to their lessons.  Many teachers buy themselves time to do things like check homework and attendance by giving the students a task to do as soon as they get in.  Having a pre-planned objective (often referred to as SWBAT: Students Will Be Able To) it can help you and your students stay on task and can help determine whether or not your lesson plan is effective. 

The key to being a great teacher is finding the balance to keep everyone at the same level.  If you find that some are falling behind, you may need to adjust your teaching method in order to bring the stragglers back to the group.