7 Tech Enhancements Every Classroom Needs

Technology is an educational engine encourages individualized learning, integration into the real world and provides access to a variety of assessment methods. Today, schools are changing and the integration of technological advances into teaching have become important, somewhat inevitable but also essential. In order to prepare students for their future, teaching must use the most advanced methods and techniques available. Unfortunately, a blackboard and chalk no long cuts it in the real world.

Creative and innovative technologies make it easier for teachers to maintain students’ interest in the curriculum, distribute study materials before, during and after class, and determine how well each student actually understands the topics discussed. Technology assists by speeding up proven aged techniques and processes and also engages students via a medium with which they can identify.

Here are 7 tech enhancements every classroom needs:

1. Microphones

Over the last 40 years, American schools have experimented regularly with some form of sound enhancement. Audio enhancement technology, typically used in large classrooms or auditoriums, can be found in classrooms of any size. Your audio system must be flexible and capable of handling a single static speaker or presenter and multiple speakers or presenters throughout the room. Microphones can also help to promote verbal articulation, develop the ability to speak in public and create an opportunity for active participation. It also gives the student no excuses for saying they cant hear you!

2. Interactive Learning Tools

Hundreds of interactive educational platforms have been developed with the aim of empowering teachers and students. They improve the management of learning processes, encourage collaboration and facilitate contact between teacher and student.

Interactive resources that allow students to interact directly with the curriculum include technologies such as Contribute Cloud Software that incorporate casting, collaboration and screen sharing from student devices. In addition, webcams and video conferencing allow students and teachers to communicate remotely.

3. Casting

Whilst not a technology itself per say, the phenomenon of Casting is growing in popularity. This is the ability to send one’s screen from a device wirelessly up to the front of class display, normally and Interactive Flat Panel.

Historically, casting required 3^rd part hardware such as an Apple TV or a Chromecast dongle. Now, LEDs like the TouchIT Rapide have onboard apps that are able to do this. Casting and Multi-casting allow teachers to display student’s screens in the classroom. Look at work together share ideas all without the student having to leave their seat.

In some cases, such as the Just CastIT app, the user is also able to cast remotely. In this strange world we are living in at present, this makes real sense for distance learning activities.

4. Remote Collaboration

Today, students are constantly on the move and want to be flexible in their education. Wireless presentation features for example in Contribute Cloud allow students to connect with other students, teachers and learning environment from anywhere as long as they have an internet connection.

Wireless technology can also enhance the experience of students taking online courses at any university. Research conducted at Kent State University in 2015 showed that most online students do not have the ability to interact with professors and classmates. The survey also found that students are more likely to succeed if they have strong connections with their professors. All of these are supported by remote and collaborative technologies.

5. Video Conferencing

Video conferencing goes hand in hand with wireless presentation to extend the classroom beyond the four walls. For this reason, several applications from TouchIT App Store are able to help students and teachers on this matter. Video conferencing can often be used to improve opportunities for students who may have to stay at home due to illness or a worldwide pandemic as we have in 2020!

6. Interactive Flat Panels

Today, Interactive Flat Panels, such as the TouchIT Rapide have become the cornerstone of the front of class display. Their popularity is well-deserved as they combine whiteboard functionality with the ability to integrate media through digital applications such as Just CastIT. Interactive Apps such as TouchIT Air also open up new ways to engage students through screen mirroring and, as a supporting technology, can also improve classroom integration.

The global market for interactive flat panels will grow by more than 6% per year until 2025, according to a recent report by Technavio, a London-based technology research firm. Interactive flat panels are particularly well suited for blended learning because they connect to students’ PCs, support digital content, and enable on-screen annotation, highlighting and editing in real time.

7. Lecture Recording

Many classrooms are now equipped with audio and video equipment that allows teachers to record classroom lessons. But it is now also possible to record lessons and videos for online courses outside the classroom using software platforms such as Contribute Cloud. By recording the lessons and making them available after the course, teachers can reuse the material and students can learn quickly and at their own pace. Consider improving the quality of your videos with new technologies, including 360-degree cameras that can track a moving speaker. A cloud studio that harnesses critical thinking and communication skills through collaborative and creative sound recording projects. This promotes the skills our 21st century students need to prepare for a modern, connected world. Wherever lesson recording takes place, the best lecture capture systems allow instructors to focus on the lesson and make recording effortless.

Final Thoughts

Tech enhancements can promote good teaching and increase student participation. Not all schools will be able to add the latest and greatest technology ot their classrooms – budgets are just not there.

Having the latest and greatest technology is no use whatsoever if you don’t make use of it. An interactive Flat Panel that gathers dust. A microphone that props up a calendar on your desk. A webcam that has never been taken out of the packet.

Technology is great and can really benefit the classroom, the teacher and the student. However, only when it is used correctly and effectively.

Food for thought.