Have you ever wondered if classrooms could have large LED screens to demonstrate the solar system? Well, if it wasn’t possible in the early 21st century, it’s possible now. Education methodologies have evolved throughout the different centuries, and now it’s time the focus should be to improvise teaching techniques through digitalisation.
The impact of COVID-19 on education stands as the appropriate example of why implementing technology in teaching is important. In fact, up till now, many institutions globally have restructured their infrastructures and found positive results.
As per Project Tomorrow, 59% of the students in middle school have stated that digital educational tools have accelerated their education and helped them to score better.
This brings us to the point of developing a plan that can bring success in teaching through technology. But, only investing in high-end gadgets won’t help as students may take time to understand; they may also look for services to pay for assignments if they cannot cooperate with the newly developed teaching techniques.
So, let’s explore some strategies institutions can apply to improvise teaching methods through assignment experts. In fact, if you are willing to join the faculty, you cannot miss the below plans; hence keep reading
Create a vision for modern schooling
Earlier, schools had the function of bringing youths together and facilitating access to knowledge. But there were certain limitations like limited books in the library, limited staff in the faculty etc.
But the situation has changed now as content is available everywhere. Hence, institutions must utilise the abundance of resources by supplying pdf files of books, digital library access, or print copies of certain chapters from the library.
Today, students are usually more aware of using technology, so institutions must consider ‘student-centric equipment’ to reform teaching methodologies.
For example, including a mobile-friendly app to access students’ progress is a wise choice. The reason is that most students today can use Google’s tools. If you start a workspace through tools like Google Classroom, you can conduct several assessments and students will feel encouraged to participate too.
Invest in modern infrastructure
Institutions must plan which type of arrangement can help the overall growth of the campus. One must also know if the purchased tools can help in innovative teaching and monitoring of students. Moreover, the future of education is wireless and mobile-oriented. Hence, that’s how faculties must plan to invest.
Furthermore, schools and colleges must invest in infrastructure that guarantees the learning programme is supported by the physical infrastructure of your school. For example, purchasing additional space for cloud-based communication systems that can record student’s curriculum
Another important tool that institutions must prioritise to invest in is a wireless lapel microphone. Often a classroom of more than 100 students becomes difficult to manage when the plan is to demonstrate a chemical solution. Here, tools like a wireless lapel microphones can help to make teaching more audible.
Choose the apt educational technology model
The purpose of improvising the education model based on technology is to enhance students’ outcomes. Hence, there must be an annual assessment where based on the students and intuition’s total performance, teaching models can be modified, or new models can be introduced.
For example, with the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) strategy, students can access the study materials anytime. Here, the devices are parent-financed with no additional charges for maintenance and only minimal configuration.
Or, institutions can choose other digital learning theories and models, which include – RAT Model, TPaCK Framework, Connectivism, ADDIE Model, and Online Collaborative Learning (OCL)
Signing in for a virtual learning space
The Covid-19 pandemic has bound educational institutes to choose an alternative teaching method. Hence, the trend of hybrid learning and online learning came into place.
But now, the need for a visual learning space has become a necessity. Why? There are two important reasons –
- Easy management of students’ assignments and,
- Levelling up student engagement
So, keeping the above two points as the primary goal, institutes can invest in an inexpensive interactive LMS (Learning Management System) like Edmodo, Schoology, and Blackboard etc.
With such LMS, an instructor can provide a lively environment for learning and knowledge exchange. Moreover, the purpose of investing in such LMS is to provide constructive feedback, and even students can share their concerns as well.
Balance in investing in infrastructure
Spending most of the funds on equipment should be reduced in favour of teachers; rather, the focus should be on student training and professional development.
There are a lot of institutions that entirely focus on modern infrastructure but lack quality teaching. So, what’s the purpose of a tech-enabled chemistry lab if students cannot grasp the lab tool for balancing a chemical equation?
Hence, schools and colleges must prioritise sending students to conferences and seminars to gather professional learning. Yes, this step also counts as a modern teaching plan.
Not everything can be learnt through machines, and neither can course curriculums. Instead, encouraging students to volunteer for seminars and workshops can accelerate their vocational skills.
Substitute textbooks
That phase of education has become an old school where textbooks were the common methods for accessing information and learning.
Moreover, students today rarely stick to textbooks; instead, they look for content with pictures and animations.
So, academicians must introduce interactive multimedia, testing, formative assessment, and social reading features equipped with eBooks.
Institutions can also establish class wikis on Wikispaces.com to develop a shared knowledge base or use social bookmarking tools like Diigo.
Getting adaptable to the changed infrastructure
The journey of teaching with white chalk and blackboards to standing on a digital podium and conducting a lecture along with a projector will require time to adjust.
But, unless educators become adaptable to the world of technology, there can’t be a successful mode of teaching.
Hence, certain factors must be considered when planning to re-shape the campuses infrastructure with technology
- Don’t use pricey technology right away by seeking suggestions from experts
- Initiate a weekly or quarterly training program for teachers to get flexible with tools and devices
- Do trials before officially introducing them to students
This way, as technology continues to advance, educators can gradually adapt to tech-based teaching.
Final Words,
Education modules require a change, and this must be through the inclusion of effective technology infrastructure. But, the important factor here is to plan well for successful teaching; otherwise, investing only in infrastructure and no good results will turn to failure.
But, if the mentioned steps are applied well, technology-equipped teaching can become successful.
