Education is a vital pillar of the life some people wish to lead. It is also a key development factor for any country in producing future leaders and a competent workforce. If you walk down memory lane to your time in school, the first things you remember are the lessons you enjoyed and the fun teachers. It could be the fun games she incorporated in class or the outdoor field trips. Recently, some of those techniques may not be applicable due to all the developments and advancements, especially in technology.
Educational technology is using computer hardware, software, online interactive tools, and communication technology for educational purposes. Positive use of technology in class can increase efficiency and make learning fun. Below are ways to use educational technology to make learning fun.
1. Gamified learning
One of the most giant stumbling blocks is fostering the love of mathematics in kids and getting them interested in STEM careers. With educational technology, learners can seek online math help on math websites and platforms. Math websites make learning fun by portraying their content in a gamified learning technique. Learners solve puzzles and quizzes to continue to the next level. In the end, they are given prizes like advanced learning tools and points. This encourages them to be problem solvers for them to move forward. Gamified learning makes learning interactive and fun, keeping learners engaged and interested.
2. Problem-solving
Most students lose interest in subjects like math and sciences due to the laborious work involved in solving the problems. Such laborious questions make students lose interest in learning the topic, which can be reflected in their academic performance. Educational technology has made solving questions much easier through educational apps for students.
Offloading specific laborious tasks into computer applications can make work easier for students and make them more interested in learning. As long as the students use the correct method to solve the problems using technology can be rewarding. After all, they will need to know how to use the applications to solve different tasks in the real world.
3. Visualizing
Visualization is a representation of information in diagrams, curves, and historic charts so that people can understand it better. If visualization is incorporated into learning, it means that students can view what they are learning as simple diagram representations. According to edtech 2024 research predictions, using educational technology will lead to more effective solutions to improve academic performance and outcomes. Learners can use visualization tools to create videos, graphics, and music tracks explaining the concepts they learn and share them with the class. Teachers can use musical tracks and videos to enliven some of the dry topics and increase student concentration.
4. Digital presentations
The most boring class type is when the teacher dictates notes from a pamphlet, and the learners write them down. The students are more concentrated on keeping up with the teacher’s speed and missing out on learning what they write down. This discourages students since they will have all the notes but do not understand what they wrote. Digital presentations like slideshows and live presentation tools can help teachers control the learners’ concentration. This is possible since slideshows can be stopped, and teachers have a chance to explain the concepts. Similarly, learners who fear and struggle with structuring how to communicate their ideas can have an easy time using slideshows and entertaining videos and animations.
5. Storytelling
Learning for kids is visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic. Visual meaning they learn through what they see, auditory learning through what they hear, tactile through touching, and kinesthetic learning through moving and doing. One common way teachers and parents explain concepts to kids learning at an early age is through storytelling. Storytelling incorporates all these ways of learning. Technology in storytelling allows the use of digital tools to bring a story to life through animation and interactive images. Through this, kids can learn and imitate different ways of portraying emotions and retelling their favorite stories.
6. Administering homework and tests
It is tiring for kids to take books back and forth from school to do their homework at home, and it is also inconvenient for those who lack the necessary materials like books. Students will always feel discouraged each time they are given homework and will feel unmotivated to do it. With educational technology, teachers can administer homework through websites that make it easily accessible for everyone. Forgetful students can also do their homework on time since websites can notify users of an upcoming deadline. Learners can also track their performance after grading, unlike in class, where the teacher has limited time to review everyone’s work and give detailed feedback.
Conclusion
Positive use of educational technology and having adequately trained educators to administer it in classes can significantly improve learners’ academic performance. With these technologies, teachers can aim at teaching how different concepts are used in the real world through real-world representations.
