Schools and universities are continuously striving to provide the newest and most effective tools in education. Advances in technology remain prominent in assisting students achieve educational goals with advanced technical tools. However, the rapid evolution of technology results in never ending improvements and choices to allow for the greatest educational benefits that schools and universities can choose to offer. There are some recent advanced technical tools that have become more common in educational facilities.
The Many Uses of Laptops in Schools and Universities
The use of laptops in educational facilities has soared in recent years. There have been conflicting views regarding the effectiveness of laptops in determining if laptops are more distracting rather than helpful in a classroom setting. However, laptops are the portal to the Internet that provides students with an abundance of educational information to assist with virtually any demand.
The campus library will always be available as a useful resource for information in a quiet and accommodating setting. Laptops can provide the same amount of research or information at the touch of a fingertip at lightning speed. Laptops continue to become the primary source of communication between students and instructors through the use of email.
The Benefits of Using Electronic Whiteboards in the Classroom
Electronic whiteboards are an excellent interactive tool to use in the classroom. Research proves that students find whiteboards interesting because of the use of color that is employed in demonstrations. The effectiveness of electronic whiteboards reaches all students at any educational level.
The whiteboard is an excellent device for classrooms that are limited to one or no computers for any learning style including distance learning. Handicap students or pupils with limited motor skills can utilize the electronic whiteboard and learn a great deal despite any limitation. The whiteboard is an advanced educational tool for students to congregate around to encourage communication and interaction to expand virtually any learning material.
Tablets Enhance Learning in the Classroom
The use of tablets in education has become common to the point that some universities provide tablets to each student. Tablets allow textbooks to be seen and heard through audio. Like whiteboards, tablets allow students to have an interactive experience by keeping notes in the margins of textbooks viewed on tablets. Tablets provide a longer battery life and are often chosen over laptops due to their portability without having to carry a charger.
Students can easily take advantage of launching any application to record a lecture for future review and test preparation. More applications are being developed for tablets that are aimed at mainstreaming educational goals to have the ability to work from virtually any location and have information saved in a centralized location for easy access.
Advantages of Flip Cameras and Audio Recorders
Both flip cameras and audio recorders are small technical devices that can help a student in the classroom. A flip camera can be used to take snapshots of lengthy mathematical equations or used to record lectures that can ordinarily not be retained. Any flip camera is small enough to slip into a pocket and use without distracting anyone nearby. Flip cameras are excellent tools for labs where students can photograph projects for future reference and testing.
Audio recorders are just as useful and small for students to utilize in the classroom. Current recorders have a long battery life with the power to record several hours worth of lecture for students to refer to prior to testing.
Technology has become essential in the classroom. Schools and universities are more aware of the benefits of using technology to enhance the learning potential of students. Campuses are realizing the advantages of synchronizing technology among the student population.
Author Bio: Ryan Ayers is a writer who creates articles related to education. This article describes technologies used in classrooms and encourages further study with a Masters in Higher Education Online.