Digital Technology in the Classroom Environment

R.Rajeswari MCA.,M.Phil. and C. Kiruthigadevi M.Sc., M.Phil.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Assistant Professor of Information Technology

Saiva Bhanu Kshatriya College, Aruppukottai.

Summary

One of the basic components of the United Nations’ renewable development 2030 organizations is quality education. It aims to assure global and impartial quality education for all. Digital technologies have come up as a necessary tool to achieve this goal.

These technologies are simple to detect transmission sources, prevent additional destruction through improved energy capability and lower-carbon alternatives to trace force, and even remove excess greenhouse gases from the environment. Digital technologies try to decrease or prevent pollution and waste while increasing production and efficiency.

These technologies have shown a powerful significance on the education system. The recent COVID-19 Pandemic has further established the applications of digital technologies in education.

These digital technologies have made a principles relocate in the intact education system. It is not only a knowledge provider but also a originator of information, a guide, and an controller. Technological improvements in education have made life obvious for students. In contrast of using pen and paper, students nowadays use various software and tools to make presentations and projects. When compared to a stack of notebooks, an iPad is moderately light. When opposed to a large book, perusing an E-book is easier.

These methods support to enhancing interest in research. This paper is brief about the need for digital technologies in education and explains significant applications and challenges in education.

Technology in the classroom is NOT the end goal. Enabling learning everywhere is the goal. -Andrew Barras"[1]

Introduction:

Ethical development includes civilization, which on education. Information technology has occurred to circulate collective knowledge and is a primary racing force behind education correct. 

The introduction of new technology-aid to learning tools such as mobile devices, smart boards, MOOCs, tablets, laptops, simulations, dynamic visualizations, and virtual laboratories have changed education in schools and institutions. The Internet of Things (IoT) is demonstrated to be one of the most affordable methods of instructing young brains. It is also a robust mechanism for integrating a world-class learning experience for everybody.

An online classroom calendar, where we may display class schedules, assignment schedules, field excursions, speaker events, examinations schedules, or semester breaks, will help students plan consequently. Student response systems, such as smartphones and clicker devices, provide a quick and easy technique for teachers to determine students' learning of the presented content quickly and whether more explanation is required.

Features of a Digital Classroom:

 Digital classrooms extend learning far beyond the limits of textbooks and lectures. By combine technology designedly, educators can create a dynamic and interesting atmosphere that rapidly understanding and interaction. Below are 5 key features of a well-furnished  digital classroom 

  1. Interactive Displays:

  • Visualize a huge touch screen replacing the classical whiteboard. 

  • Interactive displays allow teachers to make dynamic presentations with simulations, animations, and real-time canvas.

  • Students can energetically participate by explanation the screen, solving problems interactively, and displaying their work in a visually enchanting way.

  1. Learning Management Systems (LMS):

  •  Consider of an LMS as a primary hub for your digital classroom. 

  •  It provides a protected platform for students to approach course materials, submit assignments, attain quizzes, and follow their progress.

  • Teachers can easily share resources, communicate with students singly or as a group, and provide unique feedback inside the LMS.

  • For example, a history teacher can upload primary source documents, interactive timelines, and discussion seminars all within the LMS, advancing in-depth research of historical events.

  1. Digital Assessment Tools:

  •  Digital evaluations go elsewhere classical pen-and-paper tests. They give a diversity of interactive activity, simulations, and games that assess student learning in a more interesting and understanding way. 

  • Imagine a science class where students participate in a virtual analysis simulation or a math class where students solve problems through an related game. 

  • These digital assessments provide treasured data on student understanding, allowing teachers to identify field challenging improvement and personalize instruction in accordance.

  1. Cloud-Based Resources:

  •  The days of heavy textbooks and restricted access to educational resources are long extinct. 

  • Students may security access course materials, assignments, and constant their own work from any internet-connected device thanks to cloud storage. 

  •  This allows for instruction at any time and from any location, enabling students to work together off activities or check material during class.

  • Imagine a student working on a group assignment about climate change. 

  • People may collaborate on documents, research articles, and information files that were saved in the public cloud, so this makes it feasible for them to work simultaneously even when they are not in the same physical area.

  1. Video Conferencing Tools:

  • Video conferencing tools smash geographical barriers and open a world of possibilities     for student learning. 

  •  Imagine a virtual field trip to the Great Barrier Reef led by a marine biologist, or a live Q&A session with a renowned author discussing their latest book. 

  • These tools allow students to connect with experts, participate in global discussions, and experience diverse perspectives, all within the confines of the classroom. 

  •  For instance, a literature class can virtually connect with a pen pal class in another country, fostering cultural exchange and collaboration on writing projects.

Advantages of Digital Classrooms:

 Online classrooms offer an interactive and rewarding experience for learners, but such as any instructive tool, they come with both advantages and disadvantages.

  • Engaged Learning: Enhanced activities, simulations, or interactive elements may improve student engagement and motivation.

  • Enhanced Collaboration: By partnership programmatically on projects, students may better their cooperation, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

  • Global Access: Students may interact with professionals and classmates from across the world in digital classrooms, which adds a diverse viewpoint to their learning.

  • 24/7 Learning: Cloud-based teaching resources support self-directed learning by helping students to access material and review ideas at any time and from any location.

Benefits of Digital Classrooms for Students:

  • Games, simulations, and interactive aspects make learning enjoyable and keep students actively involved, creating engaged learners.

  • Using digital resources, educators may customize courses to each student's unique learning style and speed, resulting in a personalized learning path that helps everyone succeed.

  • Students may electronically interact and work together on projects, which helps them develop their communication, problem-solving, and cooperation abilities.

  • Digital resources offer an extensive collection of knowledge that goes beyond textbooks, creating opportunities for worldwide discovery.

  • Cloud-based resources facilitate Anytime, Anywhere Learning by enabling students to review concepts and access information whenever it suits them.

Strategies for implementing digital collaboration:

  1. Choose the right digital collaboration tools:

  • Instructors need to use digital collaboration solutions that fit the needs of their students and complement their learning goals. 

  •   Make sure the instrument you select is easy to use, dependable, safe, and readily available.  


  1. Create a peer learning environment:

  • This is significant to have a collaborative learning environment to encourage teamwork and knowledge communicating among students. 

  •  Instructors can promote active engagement in the classroom and establish clear rules for cooperation and communication. 

  1. Provide training and support:

  • It is critical that students and teachers use digital collaboration tools to their full potential. 

  • Teachers and students will both find it simpler to employ technical tools and incorporate them into the learning process with the right training and assistance. 

  1. Engage clear learning goals:

  • For group tasks, you can create precise requirements and learning goals. 

  • This can guarantee that learners fulfill the learning objectives and maintain their motivation and engagement.

  1. Systematic class activities:

  • Participating in class activities will facilitate student collaboration. 

  • Incorporate group projects that call for cooperation among students and group activities into your lesson plans.

  • Encourage students to assume a variety of tasks within the group and provide opportunities for peer review and feedback.

 Applications of digital technologies in education:

  1.  E-books(digital book) :

  • Thanks to advancements in technology, data may now be found by students more quickly and efficiently.

  •  Regular textbooks are being swapped for e-books and search engines. However, by integrating technology into the classroom, little ones could start to learn on living responsible in the digital world.

  1.  MOOC Platform:

  •   MOOCs help students advance their skills and certifications.

  •   It provides millions of students who cannot afford an education with the option to take a variety of skill-based courses, improving their employability. 

  •  MOOCs allow experts in the workforce as well as students to learn whenever and wherever they choose, at their own pace. 

Vital literacy:

  • Teachers may provide a more interactive and interesting learning environment by utilizing technology. 

  • Additionally, technology creates an engaging learning atmosphere in the classroom by digitizing textbooks and adding connections and QR codes for subject-specific learning and assessment. The introduction of novel devices may benefit technologically smart educators. 

  • Software is used, for instance, to set up flipped classrooms or perform specialist tasks. In this case, students can view lectures that have been pre-recorded as homework and show up to class prepared to debate subjects and material. 

  • Classrooms using new digital instruments need to be managed and trained for. 

Future Enhancement:

Progress to Hybrid teaching & learning

  Using the two forms of instruction in addition to one another is known as hybrid teaching and learning. This is what education will lead to and the future.

Conclusion:

 In conclusion, because it encourages cooperation, critical thinking, and abilities to solve issues, online interaction in the classroom has grown to be an essential part of contemporary education. Teachers' teaching methods can be enhanced by collaboration apps and platforms. The digital classroom integrates technology to education by using electronic tools and programs to instruct pupils. Using gadgets and the web, a typical classroom gets made into a digital classroom. With the aid of advanced technology and resources, students can read efficiently and monitor their progress. These technologies will be effectively incorporated into education in the near future to improve the quality and learning settings for students.

 "The-Responsive-Classroom-approach-creates-an-ideal-environment for learning every teacher should know about it." -Daniel Goleman[2]

References:

  1. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwik5rrd74eIAxX5f_UHHdbyICgQh-wKegQIJRAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2Ftechnology-in-the-classroom-is-not-the-end-goal--31595634856413190%2F&usg=AOvVaw3xyJEJZ_DDBQiJBBwcmcSj&opi=89978449 

  2. https://www.google.com/search?q=Daniel+Goleman+quotes+in++classroom&client=opera&hs=414&sca_esv=3056e08eef7f3eff&udm=2&biw=1920&bih=1012&sxsrf=ADLYWIItuPhbP1KsHNBnS9cawtcnKlusRQ%3A1724304923343&ei=G87GZpTCFJS_vr0Pye7smAU&ved=0ahUKEwjUu8Kz8IeIAxWUn68BHUk3G1MQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=Daniel+Goleman+quotes+in++classroom&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiI0RhbmllbCBHb2xlbWFuIHF1b3RlcyBpbiAgY2xhc3Nyb29tSMwjUIwGWM4XcAF4AJABAJgB_gGgAZIGqgEFMC4zLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgGgAroBwgIEECMYJ5gDAIgGAZIHAzAuMaAHlQM&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#vhid=o26oJsX6uFJ34M&vssid=mosaic

  3. https://leadschool.in/blog/7-benefits-of-digital-classroom-over-traditional-classrooms/

  4. https://varthana.com/school/digital-classroom-trends-challenges

  5. https://classplusapp.com/growth/benefits-of-online-teaching/?session=ondemand.

Author
கட்டுரையாளர்

R.Rajeswari MCA.,M.Phil. and C. Kiruthigadevi M.Sc., M.Phil.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Assistant Professor of Information Technology

Saiva Bhanu Kshatriya College, Aruppukottai.