5 effective tips for using technology in classroom

Using technology in classroom often brings an awkward, undesirable mixture. A classroom is filled with distinct individuals and a teacher needs to connect with each one of them. Though we believe in learning to be intrinsically motivated, yet we expect kids to fare well in tests and examinations.

There is no specialised app for good teaching. Perhaps, there is specific criteria to bring in technology into the classroom. Using tech in learning is to obtain educational goals while teachers can also help students use tech as an indicator for learning.

The following are few tips which teachers and even parents need to know about the increasing apps in learning.

Prioritise learning goals to technology
The pedagogical goal in teaching and schooling works to convey subject knowledge. It is to help learners make sense of the world. Good teachers are not just subject experts, they are in fact experts in teaching that subject. For any subject, tech becomes an add-on, yet it is not necessarily the integral part of the subject.

Be open for discussion about educational technology
Using technology in education as a starting point, is a vway to introduce kids to new experiences and expressions. Choose flexible technology which is relevant and that which attracts a students' inner resources. Let the experiences of a student to technology be open for a talk and should not be constrained. Do not always choose easy apps. Instead, give a chance for kids to get comfortable with messy learning.

Keep learning challenging, do not let tech make learning easy
Use technology in a way to steer students away from things they already know. Challenge them with risk and tasks that can't be solved with simple steps. Make use of technology which builds the space between what students already know and doesn't know. Let learning be a challenging task but not impossible. Find technology that uses questions that promotes curiosity.

Bring in genuine student interests
Often teachers are seen using social media or popular media for classroom practices. But kids are mostly resistant to such gestures, as they do not approve of having their fun space taken by adults. Rather, it is suggested to connect to kids through interest driven sites and technology that are genuinely tied to classroom learning. When teachers or adults show interest in the kids' passion and demonstrate that their skills are relevant to the real world, it brings a profound transformation in kids.

Encourage conversations
Look for technology that supports social interaction. Consider the technology that promote conversations. It is not easy to find the right game for all students. It is advisable to get comfortable with the fact that there is no perfect tech solution.