Unique Ways to use Technology in the

Classroom
https://www.goguardian.com/blog/technology/9-unique-ways-to-use-
technology-in-the-classroom/

Finding creative ways to use technology in the classroom can both make your life easier as a
teacher and boost student excitement levels and engagement with lessons. From helping with
communication among teachers and students (as well as peer-to-peer), to organizing curriculum
calendars, to enhancing presentations and lessons with media and visuals, there is no limit to the
ways to use technology in the classroom to create an enriched learning environment. If you’re
looking for ideas of exactly how to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning, some
examples include:

 Gamified learning
 Digital field trips
 Integrate social media
 Gather student feedback
 Creating digital content
 Using a shared, online classroom calendar
 Review and critique webpages
 Incorporate video and multimedia into lessons and presentations
 Online activities for students who finish work early

1. Gamified Learning
To this day, I give all credit for my skill in typing to time spent playing typing games in the
computer lab of my elementary school. Not only were the games incredible, and
incredibly engaging programs for teaching students typing skills, they made using a computer
fun and exciting for me and set the foundation for all other computer knowledge I’ve gained
since. Learning can and should be fun and using technology for gamified learning in your
classroom can be advantageous to achieving that goal. And while learning software can be a
great teaching tool, gamified learning can also be as simple as creating a virtual scavenger hunt
by coming up with a list of questions for students to search and find the correct answers for and
adding students to pairs or groups to encourage collaboration and teamwork!

2. Digital Field Trips

An increasingly popular, useful, and cost-effective tool for teachers searching for new ways to
use technology in the classroom is taking digital field trips. Google Streetview and other similar
apps allow you to virtually explore parks, forests and even national and international landmarks
from the comfort of your classroom. Virtually experience the view from the Statue of Liberty or
hike through the Grand Canyon to get students excited to learn about a location or subject and
extend learning beyond the page!

3. Integrate Social Media

Because students already spend so much of their time on social media, integrating its use into
your classroom is among the most innovative ways to use technology in the classroom by
connecting students to curriculum, classroom resources, and one another. Create a Facebook
group specifically for your class where you post discussion topics or develop unique classroom
Twitter hashtags students can use to discuss lessons or ask questions!

4. Gather Student Feedback

The true test of any classroom structure and/or curriculum is how well it helps students learn,
and getting feedback from students is vital to assessing this, determining what is and isn’t
working, and addressing problems and confusion as they arise. Use online surveys and polls to
perform daily or weekly check-ins with students to get their opinions on lessons and address
lingering questions or concerns. Expand on the usage of Twitter hashtags by having students
tweet their feedback and questions with a classroom hashtag.

#QTNA (questions that need answers!)

5. Creating Digital Content

Creating digital content related to the things they are learning is a great way for students to
display their individual creative talents as well as showcase learning. As with any other project,
the process of creating content is most effective when students are able to express themselves in
ways that highlight and accommodate their personal strengths and learning/communication
styles. Provide options for students to express themselves through blogs, videos, podcasts,
eBooks, flyers and other digital art, or any other means they feel most comfortable. Respecting
each student’s individuality and needs for creative expression helps them flourish as learners.

6. Using a Classroom Calendar

Develop a shared online calendar for your classroom through Google Calendar or a similar
program for posting important updates. Post assignment due dates and classroom events (such as
field trips and guest speakers) in one easily-accessible location for both teachers and students.
Go a step further and share the calendar with parents to keep them connected and engaged with
their child’s learning.

7. Review and Critique Webpages

While we know you can find almost anything on the internet, we also know that much of what
you may find is not reliable information from reliable sources. I remember being told frequently
by teachers and professors “Wikipedia is not a reliable source” when doing research papers, but
can’t recall a single instructor who explained why. Empower your students with the digital
literacy to analyze and discern reliable web pages and sources from unreliable ones by reviewing
them together, developing and communicating standards for what makes a good source.

8. Video/Multimedia Lessons and Presentations

Bring presentations to life for students by incorporating visual effects, photos, videos, and music
into them. Developing slideshows and digital presentations, playing music or a video for
background and context while presenting, or by inviting virtual guest speakers to engage with
your class via programs designed for conference calls (such as: Skype, Google Hangouts, and
Facetime) are all fun and creative ways to boost engagement with lessons while teaching
the benefits of technology and multimedia use.

9. Online Activities For Students Who Finish Work Early

Set up learning stations to encourage and support students working at their own pace. If a student
finishes an assignment early, rather than being stuck waiting for other students to catch up or
class to end, students can extend and enhance their learning by visiting a learning station and
watching videos, playing learning-based games, or exploring other online activities related to
their learning.

 
Why Students Benefit From Using Technology in the
Classroom
Integrating technology into classrooms allows for more (and more effective) communication
between students and teachers, as well as students and peers and parents and teachers, all of
which are vital to students’ academic success. Using technology in your classrooms also creates
space for students to have a voice in their learning. Students are empowered to take
responsibility of their learning through giving feedback on lessons, participating in projects and
learning activities that respect their individuality and having opportunities and support to learn
and understand how to use technology creatively, effectively and safely.

WRITTEN BY
Nina W.
Contributing Writer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nina is a writer and children's rights advocate with a passion for education and creative
expression. She believes that respectful nurture of children as whole people from early on is the
key to building healthy relationships with learning.

In addition:

Four Brilliant Ways Teachers Use Technology in the Classroom

https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-elementary-education/resource/four-
brilliant-ways-teachers-use-technology-in-the-classroom

Educational technology can enhance teaching strategies and best practices.

Becoming an elementary school teacher has so many rewards, but with them comes
the huge responsibility of inspiring and preparing children for the world that lies ahead.
Students need certified teachers—those with a teaching degree–who are committed to
engaging them in all areas relevant to today’s world. Namely, core subjects and 21st-
century themes and skills.
Contemporary teaching strategies need to encompass more than reading, math,
science, and history. Topics such as global awareness and economics are important, as
is literacy in areas such as civics, health, and the environment. In order to be
successful, students need to gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills; learn
flexibility and adaptability; and understand accountability, creativity, leadership, and
innovation. It’s a lot to take in. One way elementary school teachers approach educating
their students in these areas is by integrating technology in the classroom.
 Children’s access to technology is increasingly growing. Kids are, on average, 12 years
old when they get their first mobile device, and more than a third under the age of 2 are
already using technology.* Technology is meant to enhance—not replace—traditional
instructional objectives. Teachers who embrace technology in the classroom have the
power to improve student success by further engaging students in their lessons.

While there are some technology tools that are free or inexpensive, others can cost
schools a lot of money. Teachers also must invest time in learning how to use the tech
tools and understanding how they can improve their students’ educational experience.
Here are four brilliant ways teachers are using technology in their classrooms:

 Leveling the Learning Environment: Every classroom is different and full of students

with varying degrees of abilities. While this provides an enriching learning environment,
it also presents challenges for teachers. Through adaptive learning, teachers use data
to better understand students’ needs in order to adjust tactics and personalize a
student’s learning experience.† In addition, by providing students with tablets or other
hand-held devices, there is no back row—every student has the ability to clearly see the
lesson, which presents increased opportunity for engagement, motivation, and learning.
 Bringing Educational Content to Life: SMART boards (a modern overhead projector)
and the use of clickers and smartphones are popular ways teachers are using
technology in their classrooms to make difficult concepts easier to understand.
Research from SMART Technologies shows that teachers who pair the frequent use of
technology with best practices in the classroom are over 340% more likely to achieve
success.‡ Clickers and smartphones are often used so teachers can quickly assess how
students are grasping content—through answers to polls, quizzes, and drawing
prompts. Smartphones can also be used to create podcasts of lessons so students can
access the content as needed.
 Permitting Student Ownership of Their Education: When students are involved in
their education, they can be more engaged with the content, its delivery, and
understanding. Through gamification, students make their own avatars and can earn
and lose points based on behavior, engagement, collaboration, and productivity. The
interaction not only makes it more fun but also encourages students to uphold
classroom values.
 Communicating With Families: Modern parents often want to know how their child is
evolving and improving as a human being, and teachers are a critical gateway to
acquiring that information. Instead of waiting for scheduled parent-teacher meetings,
teachers now have the ability to inform and interact with parents in real-time via e-mail
and newsletters. Parents can also access things such as spelling lists, assignments,
grades, and school and class calendars to reinforce what their child is learning in class.