Use of Technology- Benefits of Using Appropriate Teaching Materials in the Classroom
Technology is necessity of 21st century people. Our life is incomplete without technology. Technology helps us to grow physically, mentally and socially. Technology helps us to connect with each other. We are virtually attached with each other. We sense a real emotional bonding with each other. Widely availability of Desktop and Laptop in last decades ensured that technology is for everyone. Common people were excited to learn “how to operate it and how to use it”. Gradual development of Smart phone makes the task easy. Now people use Smartphone smartly. Of course, it is difficult to keep ourselves away from Smart phone even for short time. We feel a sense of incompleteness without Smartphone. Child starts feeling the importance of technology in life.
Integration of technology in the classroom for teaching learning process is essential and effective. Technology becomes integral part of education system. Wise teacher uses technology to ensure proper learning in the classroom. Teacher feels comfortable with technology. Student finds technology very useful for developing better understanding of different subject. Technological tools ensure effective teaching learning in the classroom.
Search engines give best result in fractions of second. Teachers as well as students face great difficulty in choosing appropriate content for the concerned topic. What can be the best ideas for selecting appropriate content for rational learning? What should be crucial factors for choosing right content? How can someone ensure the best learning outcome with the help of technology in the classroom?
People from all over world are uploading numerous teaching learning materials in various form i.e. Pdf, Word doc, images, videos and power point presentation through various platforms i.e. Slide share, YouTube etc. Without making familiar with the teaching materials before discussing/displaying and distributing can be the biggest chaos in the classroom. We should be active, alert and sensible when we decide the content for teaching and learning process.
Students’ learning need
Learners are at the center in our teaching learning process. A wise teacher considers students’ learning need before using technology in the classroom. If we decided to use technology in the classroom, we should consider “What is our students’ need? When we consider our students need, we consider on various factors which really hamper the students’ learning in the classroom. Use of appropriate teaching online/offline/printed/softcopy etc increases students’ engagement and motivation; moreover it speed up learning experience in the classroom.
Difficulty level of content/topic/text’s concept
Learning is a complex phenomenon. Technology supports our educational systems to enhance students’ learning experience through various technological tools. A well designed curriculum and syllabus cater the need of a nation. A well developed syllabus caters individual need in correspondence with culture. A wise teacher decides the difficulty level of content/topic/ text concept. S/he finds out materials through various available sources which fulfils the current need of students.
Students’ previous knowledge of content/topic/text
What is use of using technology in the classroom if we fail to evaluate our students’ previous knowledge of current teaching topic? Considering previous knowledge of our students help a teacher to decide appropriate teaching materials from where students can co-relate their existing knowledge with current teaching topic, from where they can proceed to the next level of learning.
Appropriate to students’ understanding level
A classroom consists of different types of learners’ i.e. slow learner, gifted learner and average learners. Their understanding level differs for various reasons. When we select supporting resource materials for the learners in the classroom, our resource materials should be able to fulfil mix groups of learners. A wise teacher considers his students’ level of understanding before using any technological tools and web materials in a classroom. Our main purpose to use technology in the classroom fulfill only when we cater the understanding level of each and everyone i.e. an English language teacher does intensive research before using appropriate teaching resource before entering in the classroom.
Appropriate to local learning environment (Social/Economical/National)
Every state and nation has its own cultures. A video on learning grammatical items on You Tube may be best suitable to America, Britain but may not be appropriate to China. Wise teacher uses appropriate resource materials for in a technology enabled classroom to maximize students’ learning experiences. A story from America may not be suitable to Indian students due to various reasons i.e. Name, surroundings, cultural background and language competency. A wise teacher customizes resources materials in a technology enabled classroom.
Appropriate language according to students’ level
Language is essential vehicle to learn new things. Age appropriate, understanding level appropriate and cultural appropriate language can enhance learning experiences in the classroom. What is use of using a Received Pronunciation (RP) and International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) enabled video in an Indian government school located in a remote area? Students uses mother tongue in the classroom. What is use of using printed materials consist of high standard words and sentences in a technological enable classroom? Our main objective to use technology in the classroom is to enhance students’ learning. Wise teacher assesses the appropriateness of resource materials language before using in the classroom.
Decide the content and practice well presenting before student
Choosing appropriate content and practice well before entering in the classroom establishes a teacher as fine person. Students take it positively. It helps teacher to manage the classroom systematically. What to do before entering in the classroom for using technology for maximizing learning and developing depth understanding of a particular teaching topic? Wise teacher selects appropriate different teaching resources for the classroom. S/he studies in depth. Teacher watches video in advance if s/he shows a video from You Tube and any other downloaded video. S/he prepares her classroom strategies i.e. how to use materials, when she will engage students, when she will ask questions, when she will conduct the assessment test etc to avoid confusing moment in the classroom. It is observed several times that a teacher has planned to show a power point presentation in the classroom but due to some technical reasons, he could not show it to the students, so it is better to keep materials in printed form if it is possible.
- Read the text in depth
- Watch the video in advance
- Make your strategies to use material
- Keep material in printed form if possible
Right preparation and proper planning maximize learning in the classroom. Teacher develops a better understanding for difficult topics with the help of technology in the classroom. Students always enjoy a wise subject teacher class. So what ! Are you a wise teacher? Aren’t ——————–
Rajeev Ranjan
Indian Educationist
Benefits of Using Technology in the Classroom