The overwhelming majority of teachers, parents, and students believe in the efficacy of classroom technology.
The education technology sector, or EdTech, is currently valued at $142.37 billion. Its buy-in from these groups, plus that of policymakers and investors, leads experts to expect classroom technology to become more heavily used -- with the market predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030.
Despite how common tech is in classrooms everywhere, it's still common for teachers and administrators to struggle with knowing what specific tools to adopt and how to best integrate them. On top of that, keeping students safe and the school's network secure adds to the potential disadvantages of technology in education.
For the past ten years, schools have increased their technology budgets annually by 20%. Compounded over time, the education technology industry has developed into what we know today: one that impacts all facets of a school -- and the business of running a district.
Eductor's rapid adoption of technology coincides with an equally rapid rise in concerns related to student online safety, cost, cybersecurity, equal access, and tech's general effectiveness for all students.
Schools are mandated to ensure their tech-fueled classrooms are equipped with the tools, resources, and training necessary to maximize educational outcomes and safeguard all participants. As the Director of Technology of Catoosa Public Schools, Samuel Hoch, put it when speaking on his district's need to improve digital safety: "We needed to protect kids more -- not just because it's the law, but because it's the right thing to do."
Two things are true at the same time: 93% of educators agree that digital transformation is necessary to improve teaching effectiveness, yet 94% of students indicated they would increase their use of devices in classrooms if their teachers made better use of technology.
This indicates a gap between the current state of digital integration in educational environments and the potential for its impact on student engagement and learning outcomes.
Simply knowing what technologies are out there is a great starting place. Let's look into 15 types of technology for classrooms that have the greatest impact on education.
1. Interactive learning platforms: Interactive learning platforms refer to web-based or software solutions that facilitate interactive lessons and enable students to engage dynamically with course material. These platforms often include features like quizzes, forums, real-time feedback, and multimedia resources.
Take Nearpod, for example, which allows teachers to create and deliver engaging lessons by integrating multimedia content, formative assessments, and interactive activities -- either by uploading their own materials or customizing from a vast library of premade content. It also provides real-time insights into student understanding, helping educators adjust instruction during lessons and improve outcomes, whether teaching in person, online, or through student-paced activities.
2. Video-based learning tools: Video-based learning tools refer to platforms and software that use video content to enhance the educational experience. They enable educators to create, share, and interact with video lessons -- allowing students to engage with multimedia resources and learn at their own pace.
3. Game-based learning platforms: Game-based learning platforms use gamification to facilitate engaging educational experiences. These platforms often feature interactive scenarios, problem-solving tasks, and reward systems that motivate students and promote active learning. Most have heard of Kahoot!, which works by allowing teachers to create interactive quizzes and games that students can join in real time using their own devices, turning learning into a fun and competitive experience.
4. Digital robotics and coding tools: Digital robotics and coding tools enable students to learn programming and engineering concepts through hands-on interaction with programmable robots and software platforms. They encompass a wide range of tech tools: graphical programming interfaces, interactive development environments, microcontrollers, simulation software, and more.
5. Mathematical visualization tools: Mathematical visualization tools are software applications that help students and educators visualize complex mathematical concepts and data. They facilitate a deeper understanding by providing interactive graphs, simulations, and dynamic representations of mathematical theories and problems -- particularly targeted at older student groups. Schools will commonly look to Desmos (75 million users, specifically) as their mathematical visualization digital tool as it offers a digital graphing calculator, matrix calculator, 3D calculator, and more.
6. Classroom management systems: Classroom management systems are software platforms that help educators organize and oversee classroom activities, streamline administrative tasks, and monitor student behavior. These systems often include a variety of management features, such as monitoring student behavior online, focusing students on certain pages or tabs, communication interfaces, and more.
7. Project and task management tools: Project and task management tools enable educators and students to efficiently organize, plan, and monitor project progress. These tools typically encompass the entire project management lifecycle, from task assignments and deadline scheduling to progress tracking and collaborative workspaces.
Trello is a go-to project management tool that offers educators the ability to create and customize boards for different classes or subjects, set up detailed task lists with due dates, and manage project timelines, among other functions.
8. Design and creativity software: Design and creativity software refers to applications that enable students to express their creativity through digital art, graphic design, video editing, and other multimedia projects. Such software also includes more recent innovations in virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence-powered design tools, 3D modeling and animation, interactive multimedia creation platforms, and collaborative cloud-based environments. Think Canva, for example, which allows students of all graphic design skill levels to access a wide range of -- many AI-driven -- tools for their creative projects.
9. Assessment and feedback tools: Assessment and feedback tools refer to digital platforms that facilitate the creation, distribution, and analysis of tests and quizzes. They help educators provide timely and personalized feedback, track student performance, and gain insights into learning progress to inform instructional strategies. Google Forms is one such tool that provides educators with easy access to custom quizzes and surveys.
10. Collaborative learning tools: Collaborative learning tools are digital solutions that facilitate group work and interaction among students, enabling them to share resources, communicate, and collaborate on projects in real time. These platforms support teamwork and enhance the learning experience by promoting active participation and peer-to-peer learning. Most schools use these kinds of tools to some degree or another with shared drives, documents, and slide decks that students can collaborate on whether they're in-person or virtual.
11. Learning management system (LMS): A learning management system is a core classroom technology that refers to software platforms designed to organize, deliver, and manage educational content. They allow teachers to track student progress, administer assessments, and facilitate communication between teachers and students. Google Classroom is a leading LMS that helps by offering capabilities for organizing and distributing assignments, personalizing learning experiences with tools that support differentiated instruction, facilitating communication between teachers and students, providing real-time feedback on assignments, and enabling data-driven insights through Classroom analytics to track student engagement and performance, among other functions.
12. Assistive technology tools: Assistive technology tools refer to specialized devices or software that support students with learning disabilities. These tools include screen readers, speech-to-text applications, adaptive hardware, and other tools that enhance accessibility and enable personalized learning experiences.
13. Video conferencing technologies: Video conferencing technologies, while once on the fringe, became mainstream due to COVID-19 and have since become a commonly used tool. These technologies provide a suite of remote collaboration tools, including digital interactive whiteboards, screen sharing, and gamified learning options. Teachers also leverage these tools for distance calls with subject matter experts, parent-teacher conferences, and one-on-one tutoring sessions, among other use cases. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet are three examples of commonly used tools that combine advanced digital security with next-generation video conferencing tools.
14. Document and multimedia sharing tools: Document and multimedia sharing tools refer to digital platforms that allow students and educators to upload, share, and collaborate on documents and multimedia files in real-time. These tools make it easy for staff and students to access educational materials, opening the door to efficient distribution and collective review or modification. Most schools are using Google Workspace and/or Microsoft 365 for document and media sharing.
15. Real-time engagement tools: Real-time engagement tools are applications that enhance interactive participation in live settings, such as polls, chat functions, and interactive Q&A sessions. Such technologies are generally used to help teachers drive engagement while facilitating an active learning environment.
It's one thing to reap the benefits of digital transformation; it's another to ensure all technology is used responsibly. When it comes to strengthening a school's cybersecurity posture and ensuring all students are protected online, cost and complexity are two major barriers to entry.
With ManagedMethod's suite of tools, K-12 schools can gain access to the tools they need to reap the full benefits of technology while ensuring the protection of their network and students.
Coming soon, ManagedMethods' Classroom Manager empowers teachers with real-time monitoring, customizable content access, and centralized digital student management, all without the need for specialized training.
Click here to learn more about Classroom Manager's next-generation technologies and early-bird pricing.
The post Technology for classrooms: Top 15 tools for K-12 schools appeared first on ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12 authored by Alexa Sander. Read the original post at: https://managedmethods.com/blog/technology-for-classrooms/