EdTech: How much is too much?

By CIOReview | Monday, July 29, 2019

EdTech is meant to ease out on the mundane task, but educators should also know when tech exploitation has reached its peak.

FREMONT, CA: EdTech today enables teachers to free up their time and take care of some of the mundane tasks. The technological progression has further paved the way for tailored instruction in the classroom for each student regardless of the learning differences.

What EdTech-Based Classrooms Look Like

The modern-day classrooms have some characteristics like:

• Technology-Induced Smart Spaces: Digital tools today work more efficiently than those of the past, thanks to smart technology embedded in the building designs. Supervisors maneuver electric systems and Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) with touchpad technology. Besides, schools have come a long way from having only four electrical boards in the classroom–one on each wall. Contemporary schoolrooms contain several charging ports so that students can recharge their device batteries.

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• Transformative Roles: Teaching nowadays has become less of a lecture with more hands-on experience for students because of the ascend in virtual reality and simulations. Students can obtain introductory knowledge from a range of resources, including live streaming and explainer videos.

• Personalized Learning: Education is no longer about everyone fitting in one mould. The arrival of technology in the schoolrooms has facilitated educators to customize the instruction based on the student need, enabling them to work at their own pace.

Excessive EdTech Engagement

Look for the following warning signs of unreasonable use in EdTech:

Hyperadoption: If schools have more technology devices than students, then the school instruction might be overloaded with EdTech.

Tech Tools First: Over-dependence of EdTech in the classroom is seen when: Students make use of calculators on phones instead of figuring the result by themselves or using smartphones for reminders.

Take Control of the Class Time

Screen time can be monitored in these ways:

• If pupils are permitted to carry smartphones to schools, have a phone-free activity that heartens interaction without tech. In-person conversations carry a high weight than social media posts.

• Put into practice a method where pupils can try solving a problem before turning towards tech.