The Role of Technology in Teaching and Learning

In today’s world, technology is becoming more and more popular in the classroom.  It is used in almost every class room every day around the world.  Whether it is as simple as turning on the computer to take attendance, our ways of teaching and learning are turning electronic.

            Teaching in the classroom can be a very difficult challenge depending on the class.  Some classes are easier because everyone is involved and paying attention where as others may consist of kids not volunteering or evening falling asleep.  Technology has really helped with some of these problems.  For example, by a teacher simply putting their lesson plan on a PowerPoint and adding a couple of pictures, kids are more likely to take notes and pay more attention rather than just lecturing.  Another great advancement in the classroom is the Smart Board.  The Smart Board is a touch screen board where teachers can really get the students involved.  For example, if a teacher is getting students ready for a test, they can set up a game of Jeopardy on the Smart Board and have students come up and pick the subject and card they want to pick.  By simply moving their finger across the board they can move the card out of the way and reveal the question.  This is great for teachers because they are taking some stress off of themselves by having the kids basically teach themselves.  Some teachers may not always like lecturing in front of a large class for an hour so things like PowerPoint’s and the Smart Board can really give them a break and focus the student’s attention elsewhere.  Another great reason for teachers to use technology is the fact that they can contact students at home.  E-mail is such a great invention.  Instead of a student having to wait until the next day to ask their teacher a question, they can simply E-mail them at home and usually get a reply shortly after that.  Teachers can also contact student’s parents in case they have done something wrong in class or are doing very well in class.  It is a quick and easy way for teachers to stay on top of things and make sure each student is doing well in class.

            Not only is technology great for teachers, it is one of the best ways for students to learn.  Some students are great at listening and can remember every word a teacher says without ever having to write a word down on paper.  However, most students are not good at that.  Most students need to visually see what they are learning about.  White Boards are great for this except they get messy, markers run out, and handwriting can be an issue as well.  PowerPoint’s are also a great way for students to learn.  They can copy down word for word what the teacher wants them to know and it is always neat and easy to read.  If a teacher goes to fast they can also go back to the last slide they were on within a click of a button.  Whereas if a teacher erases something on the White Board, they would have to spell it back out, or take time to read it very slowly so everyone can get it down.   Another way for students to take advantage of technology is to use research.  Research is actually the number one reason why students use the computer.  Almost every question a student needs to know can be found on the computer one way or another.  It is a great source to use and a lot quicker than searching through books to find an answer.

            Technology is taking over schools whether we like it or not.  It is used every day all around the world because of its simplicity.  It is a quick, fun, and effective way to teach and be taught.  The world will never be the same, some day there will be no more White Boards, Chalk Boards, or even lectures.  Everything will be done in the comfort of our own homes on the computer.