Advantages of Technology in a Classroom

I came across an article written by Sarah Kessler entitled 8 Ways Technology is Improving education.  I thought it would be interesting to see other side to my last post about the disadvantages that the constitution guru claimed technology has.  Obviously there are disadvantages and advantages with everything in life. Kessler discuses many advantages in technology like better simulations and models, global learning, virtual manipulative, probes and sensor, more effective assessment, storytelling multimedia, E-books, and Epistemic games. All of these things have made the use of technology a great tool in a classroom

 The first thing Kessler mentions is better simulations and models and there are definitely so many models and simulations that you can show your students to better understand different subject matters. In the article they show you how students can plant seeds in a virtual green house and then can see how different environments help the plants grow. There are simulations where you can dissect frogs, and owl pellets. There are countless models and simulations online that are all useful for all subject matters of all ages. Below is a picture of a virtual garden. 

Then Kessler also discusses global learning. Technology has really helped students be able to learn about different cultures. Kessler mentions a site called Glovico.org; where students are able to set up language lessons with teachers in different countries around the world. I know some teachers who have had their classes have pen pals from a different state or country. I think programs like Skype (if supervised) could be interesting to help students learn.

Kessler discuses many advantages in technology like better simulations and models, global learning, virtual manipulative, probes and sensor, more effective assessment, storytelling multimedia, E-books, and Epistemic games. All of these things have made the use of technology a great tool in a classroom.

Storytelling is a really interesting way to teach students in any classroom. There are endless possibilities to what students can go with storytelling. The video below was posted with Kessler’s article. In the video a group of elementary make a story board for a contest and show how they use technology to learn. It is an awesome video. Enjoy!

 

Kessler bring up many good points about how technology in a classroom is an advantage, and I completely agree. You can’t make every single lesson strictly based on technology, but you can incorporate it into your lessons where it can help improve a lesson. We live in a world full a new and exciting technology and it is a good way to grab your students attention and bring a lesson to life. 

http://mashable.com/2010/11/22/technology-in-education/