5 Recent Advances in Educational Technology
Imagine going to school without getting out of bed. According to an article at washingtonpost.com, its actually not that uncommon - "70,000 school-age children wake up each morning for class and walk as far as the nearest Web-enabled gadget…" which is sometimes sitting at the side of their bed in the form of a laptop or tablet. It’s amazing to think about how 20 years ago, personal computers were only just beginning and now, it’s within arm’s reach of the majority of the youth in America. Educational technology seems to be progressing at warp speed, with new advances emerging every single day.
Classroom Management Software
Course management systems (CMS) are designed to provide a platform for teachers to reach thousands of students all at one time in one course. They allow for quizzes to be given through its platform along with the ability to create interactive forums with information provided from a myriad of different resources. They can be used to save time for both students and educators while accomplishing the feel of a one-on-one learning environment. Learning how to reach masses all at once is educational innovation at its best.
Learning Management Systems
Teachers and professors alike are always looking for ways to engage students and expand learning opportunities. Especially in higher education, where the need to offer classes outside of the classroom as well as offset campus overcrowding is more concerning, Learning Management Systems (LMS) have really improved upon opportunities to reach more students. These tools allow for more collaborative class settings on or off-line. For example, if you have an overly large group of students where it is difficult to have personal one on one time with each, LMS makes it possible to create lesson plans via video or wiki as well as track content through blogs and other easily accessible tools. This allows for more of an exclusive interaction. With LMS the internet keeps you connected in or outside the classroom. For more on LMS, click here.
Classroom Audio Systems
Studies have shown that one of the main issues students have with learning in a classroom is that they often cannot hear the instruction as well as is needed. Classroom audio systems provide the ability for teachers to project their voices loud and clear to all who are intended to hear. Teachers use this innovation to reach students at a level that they otherwise would not be able to do. This fairly recent development in the classroom has led to an unprecedented rise in test scores for all who experienced the effects before and after.
Field Trip App
New applications for computers, smart phones and iPads are surfacing every day. There are learning apps for just about every subject there is. The field trip app, for instance, helps to educate students on their surrounding areas. It provides historical significance, useful fun facts, and other educational information for practically any field trip destination.
Using Cloud Computing for Educational Technology
Another relatively new advancement in the field of education technology is the use of cloud computing to store documents. Google Docs, for instance, recently transitioned to Google Drive – a place to store Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents for retrieval anywhere that has access to an internet connection. No longer is forgetting a homework assignment even possible with this relatively new cloud computing technology.
Adaptive learning is not necessarily a new concept; however, the realization of this concept is in fact relatively new. Innovative teachers use this technology to help them cater to personalized learning for students in need of more help than average. This means the development of tests and skill instruction is created specifically to cater to each individual’s exact learning needs. It is available for all ages, in all levels of learning and appears to be a fast-growing capability for innovative educators seeking technology to increase the effects of their teaching.
Author Bio
David Malmborg works with Dell. When he isn’t working he enjoys hiking, spending time with family and researching new technology. He is currently learning more about cloud computing and recommends visiting the dell.com for more information.
