Teach English in Pudong Zhen - Qingdao Shi

For many years’ technology has been growing and continues to grow rapidly. In today’s modern era where people are surrounded by technology, it is important to embrace it as going forward into the future, technology will play an even bigger part in everyday life than it already does. Students today are becoming dependent on technology and teachers should be able to take advantage of this dependency. Teachers have been using traditional methods of teaching which might not be enough in today’s day and age. It is essential for teachers to be up to date with modern technology and its widespread applications. Technology can be used in many ways to help students participate and learn new concepts. Students are likely to respond to technology-based learning and retain more information. There are different types of technology that are being used by teachers to help students learn more effectively, some of these are: Interactive Whiteboards. Interactive whiteboards (IWB) have been in existence for quite some time now and are very useful. Interactive whiteboards are essentially large screens which can be connected to a computer and used for visual displays of content. IWBs are a great example of how technology has changed the way different subjects are taught. It also allows teachers to monitor students more effectively, as they don’t have their backs facing the students for the majority of the lesson. Smartphone / Tablets. Smartphones and tablets are minicomputer like devices, which have become a must-have for students of most ages. Apart from the primary use of these devices which is communication, these devices allow students to learn new concepts and experiment with information using internet connectivity. Such devices are portable, easy to use and are often used by students to access educational content through applications. There are numerous applications available on these devices which can be used by teachers to motivate students and create a fun learning atmosphere. For example, a quiz game can be played by students which would help a teacher understand the different strengths and weaknesses of the students. Computers. Computers are used by teachers and students to access the Internet, practice typing skills, or view educational materials. Computers can be used in several different ways in a classroom. They can be used to research teaching material and produce a lesson plan. The computer can also be hooked up to an external display to show the class presentations, video slides, and other educational content. Class Website. A modern classroom should have a personalized website because it serves as a platform for students and teachers to be connected at all times. A class website should be the place a student goes to address issues, difficulties or get help. There are many uses of a class website which range from displaying important information about schedule changes or announcements as well as to monitor assignments and keep a check on the students’ progress. This website should also have a forum where students can share their thoughts on ongoing lessons and subjects which can be beneficial for teachers to understand the effectiveness of their teaching style/methods and improvise. Cloud Technology. This kind of advanced technology avoids the burden of students to carry their homework, heavy textbooks, and assignments. They can just log in from their devices and access their work saved in the cloud system of their class. They can access different subjects in the form of E-books from a digital library, whenever they are connected to the internet. Students can work on the projects anytime and anywhere with the convenience of their device and upload them for viewing or evaluation. Virtual Reality. Virtual reality (VR) has been in existence for a while although its applications have developed recently. With companies like Google and Amazon creating inexpensive VR headsets which are compatible with smartphones thus creating a first-hand experience for students. It is important for teachers to keep up with different educational applications of this technology, and use it while creating learning experiences for students. There are VR applications on the market that allow teachers to design and create their own lessons depending on the level of their class. There are many ways VR is beneficial for students as it provides an experience, engaging them to have fun while learning. 3D Printers. This technology is revolutionising the art of show and tell. In other words, this technology is yesterday’s arts and crafts turned into modern-day engineering. This technology allows students to be innovative and create anything as these machines have very few limitations. With that being said, these machines are going to be a very important part of the future. It is essential for teachers are to be able to help students understand the proper use of this technology. Biometrics Most schools are replacing identification cards with biometrics. This technology allows schools to monitor the different habits of students, such as attendance and punctuality. Biometrics is a way of the future when bundled with artificial intelligence. This technology could enable schools to accumulate information such as the attention span of a student by tracking eye movements. These are a few of the technologies available in today’s world which could be very helpful for teachers, students, and schools to go into the future of education. There are many more technologies in development that will change the way teachers teach in the future. However, technology will never replace a teacher as no development in technology will ever be able to encourage, motivate or inspire children the way a good teacher could.