12 Benefits & Uses of Technology in the Classroom

Education programs around the globe are investing in more ways to integrate technology in the classroom. Below are twelve benefits we’re seeing from those investments, along with some creative ways schools can leverage modern tech.

1. Prepares students for the real world

Technology is everywhere, so it should be an essential part of a student’s learning environment. Utilizing technology in the classroom helps students engage with devices and programs they’ll use in future careers or even their daily lives. 

Providing the basics for computers, the Internet, and new forms of technology is crucial for their future. They’re key skills that merit development before high school, and properly teaching these skills requires a kinetic approach.

2. Helps educators better connect with students

Effective communication is crucial for the success of both teachers and students. Classroom technology offers innovative ways for teachers to connect with students and deliver curriculum. 

Most students are already on the web, so integrating technology into the classroom can also increase opportunities to build a community with students. In this instance, it should be used with caution. But it can be one of the most powerful resources for educating in large numbers.

3. Cuts costs

Why should technology be used in the classroom? Because it saves money. 

Textbooks are a significant expense for students and educators, and the cost of photocopying materials adds up quickly. Using technology in the classroom offers a variety of ways to reduce hidden costs and make education more affordable. 

For example, Learning Management Systems (LMSs) allow students and teachers to upload worksheets and other materials in a digital format, rather than printing them on paper. And video platforms, like ClickView, give schools access to a wide variety of educational videos. They’re valuable resources for both students and educators, and a key cost-cutting benefit for administrators. 

4. Encourages collaboration

Technology used in the classroom should create an engaging learning environment that fosters collaboration among students. With appropriate guidelines, students can interact with each other and discuss different ways they can collaborate and learn together. 

This can include using online platforms for group projects and discussions, or using interactive tools such as digital whiteboards for brainstorming and problem-solving. 

Some students may be more technically savvy than others, which provides opportunities for these students to share their knowledge. This leads to a more connected community where all students feel empowered to share their ideas and contribute to the learning process.

5. Helps differentiate learning

Technology has made it easy for students to access a wide range of programs and information sources with just a few clicks. This means teachers can allow students to choose research topics that align with their interests. And they can assign programs that help students remediate or expand their knowledge, allowing them to investigate topics further. 

They can do this during group work or tutorial time, which gives a teacher more time to attend to individual students or other small groups who need help. Using technology in this way ensures that all students get the support they need.

6. Encourages productive students

Some tech naysayers like to ask, “Why use technology when it's such a distraction to students?” However, many examples of technology in the classroom actually boost productivity among students. 

Using technology, they can access materials at any time and keep digital calendars. And teachers can send reminders through learning management systems (LMS). With technology, there is no need to sharpen pencils or worry about losing physical books. It allows for instant access to all materials, saving time, space, and reducing mental effort.

7. Enhances creativity

Technology provides access to an abundance of online content, including resources for students interested in arts, music, videography, and more. Students can find and explore any creative endeavor they’re passionate about. 

One of the best examples of technology in the classroom is available through the growing capabilities of modern tablets. Students can now capture their sketches and use powerful editing software to enhance and manipulate photos in creative ways. Technology can be a valuable tool in fostering creativity, as it provides students with a wide range of choices in what they create.

8. Provides automation for teachers

A top benefit of educational technology for teachers is automation. As mentioned earlier, learning management systems (LMS) allow teachers to upload lessons for students to access at their own convenience. But there are many other benefits of using technology in the classroom and examples are encouraging. 

Online assessments make grading more efficient, and certain programs can automatically notify parents when students receive low grades. Also, teachers often struggle with finding enough time in the day to accomplish everything, so technology examples in the classroom like these can automate time-consuming tasks. 

Streamlining their workload allows educators to focus on the most important aspects of teaching, such as connecting with and supporting their students.

9. Allows for a more inclusive classroom

Technology enables students with special needs to take part in the classroom in ways they may not have been able to before. Students can benefit from technology that assists with writing, spelling, reading, and mathematical computation. 

Word processors can detect spelling mistakes and adaptive readers can highlight text or read aloud to students, allowing them to access research and websites like their peers. Plus, with technology becoming more common in schools, students with special needs who use laptops for help will no longer feel out of place or stand out.

10. Strengthen the feedback process

Providing feedback on students' work is a crucial aspect of teaching and can affect student performance. It should be timely, consistent, and specific to individual goals. 

Classroom response systems, cloud applications, and workflow tools are part of a growing list of technology in the classroom that can help streamline the feedback process. These tools automate repetitive tasks, summarize rubric elements, and even provide basic machine-generated assessments. 

This allows teachers to focus on providing personalized and constructive feedback that guides students towards their curriculum and individual goals. 

11. Creates opportunities for authentic learning

Technology serves as a bridge between classroom learning and the real world, allowing for authentic and relevant experiences for students. Teachers can use technology to enhance learning by providing opportunities for students to: 

• Share their work with a genuine audience through a blog or social media

• Connect with peers from different parts of the world

• Explore real-world problems that affect real people

• Discover unknown places using tools like Google Earth

12. Make learning fun!

Using games as a learning tool is not a new concept. However, modern technology has expanded the possibilities and made it more engaging for students. 

Trial and error learning can make the process less intimidating for students. And as we pointed out, technology allows teachers to provide differentiated instruction and coaching. This can free up their time and make learning more fun for every student. 

Games can also increase engagement and retention as students become fully immersed in the activity. They’re a great option for group activities, particularly those that require collaboration. 

1. Take students on a virtual field trip

Field trips and tours can be valuable learning experiences, but the planning and execution can be challenging. Digital options now offer many of the same benefits as a field trip, without the hassle. These digital field trips provide students with the opportunity to "visit" places that may not have been accessible before. It also provides a wide range of possibilities for teachers to plan fun and informative "trips." Students can also use digital field trips to explore organizations of interest and interview professionals in fields of interest.

2. Students can create their own website

Creating a website used to require coding knowledge or help. But now, website builder platforms like Appy Pie, Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, and Weebly have made it easily accessible to anyone. With this technology, teachers can have students create their own websites for class.

They can use the site to submit work, organize files and information, and even personalize it to showcase their creativity. It’s a modern approach to traditional notebooks that also serves as a platform to build or add to students' digital portfolios.

3. Using games to learn

Gamification can enhance student engagement and learning by fostering a sense of accomplishment. Games can motivate students to progress to the next lesson, as they know they can achieve something along the way. Teachers can look for gamified learning opportunities on the internet to incorporate in their subject material. 

4. Online discussions

Using video conferencing tools like Zoom, teachers can hold weekly discussion tables or office hours to facilitate face-to-face communication. And an online discussion forum can provide students with a platform to ask questions, receive answers from the teacher or their peers, and engage in meaningful discussions. This resource can help students better understand the material and encourage connections with their peers.