The Covid pandemic definitely upped many teacher’s technology games but how many teachers, do you think, will continue to regularly use technology once we are all back in the classroom full time? I know I will. Here are my top three reasons why.
1. Technology Meets the Needs of Various Learning Styles.
There is no “one size fits all” approach to teaching, yet many manuals and curriculum guides don’t acknowledge that. They may give suggestions on how to differentiate but they don’t provide the resources or materials. With digital resources, you can meet your learners different learning styles. You can add videos, virtual manipulatives and visuals to support each student. You can give them a choice in how to complete an assignment. Modifying a resource is so much easier when it is digital. Check out this video from Shake Up Learning to learn more about differentiating an assignment in Google Classroom.
2. Technology Encourages Student Engagement.
Many people complain about the amount of time children spend on screens, but in my classroom screen time is quality time. Students are so much more engaged when there are links to click, pieces to drag and fun clipart and pictures to enhance a resource. I usually add links to the end of a Google Slides resource that are directly related to the resource. When students are done with their assignments, they can choose which links to visit. They are usually brought to a game, YouTube video or song that extends their learning or gives them more practice. Either way, they get much more out of this type of activity than they would a boring worksheet.
3. Learning Can Be Provided Through the Use of Digital Games.
Gone are the days of the teacher standing in the front of the room delivering a lesson while the students gaze off into space thinking about anything but the subject matter. Learning needs to be dynamic. Digital games make learning new concepts or reviewing material much more attractive to students. Whole class or independent games can be played as an assignment, in a station, or even for homework. Kahoot, ABCya, Funbrain and Quizlet are some of my favorites. I’ve also created many of my own digital games and resources. You can find them by clicking below.
Digital Resources
Check out my selection of engaging digital resources. These resources and activities can be used as independent work, whole class instruction, small group work, station work, homework, or even in the flipped classroom.
Your classroom will definitely benefit from the use of digital resources. How will you use them?
