Learning technology has become a mainstay in both traditional in-person and virtual classrooms.
Students expect to use technology. They'll likely need to use that technology for the rest of their lives.
At the same time, you want to offer thoughtful technology integration—using technology that's genuinely beneficial to your students, rather than simply using technology for the sake of saying that you have it.
An estimated 71% of students use laptops in the classroom regularly—but are they using that technology effectively?
Intelligently integrating technology into your elementary school can help more effectively engage students during lessons, boost retention, and encourage creative expression.
Try these strategies to effectively incorporate technology into your classrooms to optimize student learning.
Interactive Learning Games
Interactive learning games are a fun and engaging way to reinforce fundamental learning skills, including math, spelling, and memorization.
There are several sites out there that offer free interactive educational games designed specifically for elementary school students.
Those games are perfect for filling free time between lessons or encouraging students to engage in additional practice. They’re also geared toward making learning fun, which can help improve student interest and overall engagement.
In addition to finding learning games appropriate for your students, encourage students to create their own! Many platforms will allow students to select their own questions or even create their own learning games.
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring platforms like Anand Tutorials provide 24/7 on-demand academic support for all elementary school subjects.
An online tutoring option like Anand Tutorials allows students to learn at their own place, rather than being restricted by the flow of the classroom. Students may also feel more confident asking questions in a private one-on-one setting where they aren't surrounded by their peers.
In addition, online tutors are able to adapt the way they deliver information to students based on their unique needs, strengths, and interests.
Anand Tutorials platform is easy to use and offers a variety of virtual learning tools, including virtual whiteboards and screen sharing.
The live audio and video chat replicate the best aspects of in-person learning, providing students with face-to-face interaction with tutors that helps cultivate a supportive, personal learning environment.
Through Anand Tutorials, students connect one-on-one with verified experts in their fields in a distraction-free virtual learning space where tutors are able to devote 100% of their attention to helping students master concepts, receive additional support, or fill in learning gaps.
In addition, Anand Tutorials integrates with all major LMS providers and offers single sign-on capabilities, which allows students to get help as quickly and effortlessly as possible.
The Client Dashboard grants educators access to student usage data, helping them monitor student progress, and improve instructional design.
Additionally, staff have the ability to review both tutoring sessions and Writing Lab written assignment submissions for greater control over their student support services.
Inspire Creativity Via Design Programs
Graphic design programs are a great way to allow students to flex their creative muscles and create digital art.
Digital artwork requires a different skill set than traditional artwork, but it offers the same outlet to express creative vision and voice. Like physical artwork, educators can integrate digital artwork into many existing lessons.
Students can create original artwork and then present it to the class or include it as part of their projects. Encourage students to learn how to use those tools to create highly effective designs.
In art class, or as part of a project session, have art critiques where students can express their appreciation for peers' work and offer supportive feedback.
Encourage them to work together to learn how to use new tools or accomplish unfamiliar goals within those platforms.
Those digital opportunities for creative expression have become increasingly common. Building and developing those skills in elementary school can help students be more prepared to exercise them in the future.
Create a Digital Classroom Calendar
You have many digital organizational tools at your disposal, including Google Calendar, that can help improve overall student success rates. Students benefit from having access to calendar-related information at their fingertips.
On your digital classroom calendar, you may wish to announce:
. Assignments and their due dates
. Upcoming special events, including field trips
. Upcoming tests and quizzes
In many cases, you can even attach additional documents, like copies of handouts or assignments, to the virtual calendar. With that simple support, students will be able to complete assignments even when they forget their materials at school.
In addition to creating a classroom calendar, have students create their own calendars. Equip them with the tools to stay organized and on-task in a way that may stick with them far beyond the elementary school years.
Develop Multimedia Presentations
If you want to bring instruction to life for your students, consider creating multimedia presentations.
Programs like Microsoft Power Point and Google Slides are excellent tools for developing impressive presentations with comparatively little effort.
Today's students are used to fast-paced visual consumption. Bringing that multimedia approach to the classroom can help keep them more interested in the lesson you're presenting, capturing their attention and encouraging them to take it to the next level.
Try utilizing options like:
. Visual effects
. Photos
. Videos
. Music
Embrace Learning Technology and Help Your Students Thrive
These simple tools can help engage students, enrich instruction, and make learning fun!
With so much ed tech in elementary schools, it's easy to get distracted from the tools you've already learned how to use effectively.
Simply integrating that technology into your classroom presentations can go a long way toward making it more interesting for your students.
Technology continues to play a more significant role in the lives of students, and technology use in elementary schools is becoming increasingly vital for both in-person and virtual students.
Embracing educational technology in strategic ways can help ensure your students develop the real-world learning skills they need to thrive throughout their academic journeys and even in their future careers.
Anand Tutorials provides the 24/7 personalized learning support that can help students develop those essential learning skills they need to be successful in school—and beyond.
Learn more about how Anand Tutorials can help your students thrive.