How to Embrace Technology for the New School Year

As we transition back to a new school year, we would like to discuss two examples of technologies that are being are being utilized in the classroom to help prepare students for 21st century learning.

Interactive Whiteboards

One of the new technologies that has been adapted is the interactive whiteboard, also known by the brand name SMART Board.

Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as a supplement for traditional blackboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students materials which can be presented on a computer's desktop or tablet (educational software, websites, and others). Interactive whiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from interactive learning and it allows them to improve their knowledge by reviewing the material in the future.

Additional ways that teachers incorporate interactive whiteboards into classroom learning include:

• Classroom brainstorming
• Using a document camera to display and edit text and images
• Illustrating and writing a book as a class
• Teaching steps to a math problem
• Digital storytelling
• Allowing students to share projects during parent teacher interviews

Online Classroom Management Systems

Many teachers are engaging in the use of online web applications like Moodle to promote blended learning within the classroom.   

These systems include the following online features to benefit your child’s education:

• Classroom discussion forms
• Homework submission
• Online quizzes
• Downloading information including prior lessons and additional learning resources
• Classroom calendar

Interactive Whiteboards and Online Classroom Management Systems are two important and powerful technology tools that can be used by both teachers and students. We would encourage you to work with your school and teachers to better understand how new technologies can be potentially used in your child’s classroom and at home.