Technology has disrupted, enhanced, innovated, changed and streamlined the way we do everything, from brushing our teeth to doing our jobs. The role which technology plays in our day to day lives evolves every day. One area that has not been immune to the impacts of technology is education. Though many schools have found smartphones and other devices disruptive to learning, and detrimental to children’s ability to learn, there are also many positive ways that technology has impacted students and their education. Teachers and educational institutions are investing in technology from partners like mresell to keep in schools and classrooms for many reasons. Let us look at some of the ways in which technology can be, and is, leveraged in primary schools, to impact learning and education positively:
- In-depth knowledge; using apps, games, rich applications and resources allow a hands-on learning style, which offers an individualised depth that one teacher cannot always provide in no small number of students, who all have diverse learning styles and unique characteristics.
- E-reading; some of us may have learned to read or practised our reading by going around the class and reading a page, or several pages. This type of learning has proven, over time, to actually have negative impacts, especially on students with limited reading abilities, shy students or those who may not be comfortable with their peers. Technology allows leveraging e-reading, which means adding sounds, videos and other multimedia resources to help with engagement as a group, focus and actual retention.
- Gamification; finding ways to play and learn simultaneously is a no brainer when it comes to young, primary age students. Gamification is inherently purposeful play and allows students to learn while playing a game. The concepts of rewards, incentives, different levels and challenges, create motivation and actually help students retain the information that they learn. These games should not be used as a single tactic, as group learning and socialisation is essential as well.
- Knowledge sharing and communication; blogging, resource sharing and various social platforms exist and are becoming increasingly popular as a way for different educational professionals including teachers, support staff, and others who work in primary education, to share knowledge, resources, experiences, tips and tricks. Blogs, for example, are an excellent way for teachers to showcase their work and what their class is up to. This is great for many reasons, including the fact that other teachers can see and use the teacher’s successes and strengths, as well as parents can stay up to date with what their kids are learning, doing and experiencing in school, which can create a more engaging environment for the whole family.
- Special Needs Assistance; special needs students are aided by technology in many ways. Deaf students can use different apps to communicate with others, and those with cognitive disabilities are able to use technology for learning, communication, engagement and many other purposes.
