In the 21st century, Technology is the modern revolution that is now successfully invading our classrooms. And if you do not wish to be swept away with the Tech-savvy invasion, I’d suggest that the Professors of the modern era do some pre-preparations apart from their courses and ride along the wave of change.
Most professors have accepted this new norm in their classrooms while others are still implementing it into their learning spaces. Though technology does enrich pedagogy providing new methods and making it highly diverse but not everything that’s on the web is beneficial for the students.
Here are a few things that professors should hold onto and be careful of so lets TURN YOUR CLASSROOM TABLES WITH THESE IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGIES
Wikipedia – Is it really flawless?
If you Google search about Wikipedia then you’ll probably get something like “Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, created and edited by volunteers around the world and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation.” This means that any information it contains at any particular time could be vandalism. Some edits on Wikipedia that are in error are sometimes fixed, however, because Wikipedia cannot monitor contributions made by millions of users, there are many errors that remain unnoticed.
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However, If an assignment is given the first instinct of your students will be to use information from Wikipedia, if only to gather the background information of the relevant topics. To avoid the use of Wikipedia is to suggest your students use factually correct online platform such as :
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- Google Scholar
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- Factcheck.org
- Merriam-Webster
Mobile Devices – Are the teacher’s no. 1 enemy?
Students are addicted to these small metallic boxes and unlike drugs, there are no rehabs to cure this disease. Then what’s the cure? Why not use this disease wisely, use this technology for good instead of yelling at the students because it isn’t going to work.
A professor would have to be very creative in a way that integrates the technology in the classroom because it gets distracting to the point that it distracts not only to the person using it but to multiple people in the classroom.I’d suggest that you ask your students to shut down their phones during the classes unless you are conducting some debate and want your students to have access “immediate fact check“ and make your classrooms more engaging.
Social Media – Are you connected?
Despite being distracting, social media is one the largest platform to be connected on and mass sharing of information. And it’s unavoidable in modern times so why not be connected with your students? Share articles, work details, homework submissions and reminders on social media with them. Tag them on famous work of professors, artist, researcher of your fields. Open the floor of Facebook and twitter discussions with them.
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Introduce them with better management of their work with Google Drive and Docs or Save their notes on online platforms like Evernote or Dropbox. Changing times, It’s the duty of professors to use the technology innovatively.
Digital Textbooks – Are your friends in disguise?
With students having access to the Internet 24*7 Digital textbooks are widely replacing the traditional paperback books. It is important for educators to realize this shift. This also helps some students who can’t afford the books. So help your students with providing them appropriate material on the web they can refer to but don’t forget to your roots. Not all students prefer digital textbooks, also it can higher the risk of eyesight issues. Suggest your students use Electronic textbooks outside your classrooms for self-studying and research as they can acquire both visual and audio guidance on the net.
Flipped Classroom – Are you flipped enough?
In a Flipped classroom one is supposed to do background learning of a particular topic or skill occurs outside of class time – utilizing technological tools like videos and podcasts to teach the essential skills. This leaves class time free to work collaboratively on the higher-order thinking needed to utilize these skills. Though some researches show that this method is resulting in improved test score it’s necessary to switch back to the traditional learning time to time to have a balance and give attention to each individual.
With these tricks in your pockets, You can crack the Tech- savvy generation and Work with them with ease making your classrooms more engaging and better than ever.
