Rapidly advancing technology allows more teachers to connect with more students in ways that were just a pipe dream a few years ago. Most kids today are digital natives. They are much more comfortable with technology than their parents, a point that many pundits fail to understand. So, teachers essentially neglect these students if they fail to use the platforms that engages the most young minds possible.
Terminology may be part of the problem. eLearning does not simply mean online classes. Instead, it’s an umbrella term for a wide variety of classroom management system tools for use in both traditional classrooms and at-home living rooms.
How eLearning Works in K-12 Environments
Sometimes, eLearning involves at-home, online instruction. In the old days, physically moving students from one place to another was a significant challenge. Today, the problem is convincing these children, and their parents, to come to a brick and mortar school.
Some kids, or their parents, worry about bullying or violence at large public schools. If these fears are real enough to impede the learning process, there is a problem. Many parents in this situation would probably like to homeschool their children, but the parents may work long hours or not feel qualified to take on this responsibility.
In both these cases, eLearning fills in the gap. It gives kids who learn better at home an option, and also empowers more parents to take more control over their children’s educations.
There are some classroom applications as well. Tools like smart whiteboards and PowerPoint presentations engage children in ways that chalkboards cannot. Additionally, eLearning allows gifted or challenged students to virtually connect with similar students at other physical locations.
Classroom technology is great for teachers. It allows some students to work on projects with little supervision so teachers can spend time with students who may be struggling. Moreover, all these students have access to online resources through eLearning that improve their lives in the long term. School districts win as well, because they save money on student transportation costs.
Special care must be given to students with ADHD and other disabilities. These individuals simply do not learn in the same way as other students, so eLearning must never be a one-size-fits-all approach.
Classroom apps are outstanding as well, probably because children are used to that type of platform. Moreover, these apps are usually customizable to account for different student needs. Specifically, apps shrink the achievement gap between students. Moreover, they allow collaborative work and allow for instant feedback.
It’s important to remember that eLearning is only a tool. It cannot substitute for the passion and drive of a teacher. Some other concerns include over-stimulation. Over-reliance on technological devices may alter brain development. However, there is very little firm research in this area, and such issues only occur when teachers emphasize technology too much.
Technology allows teachers to reach out to students that they may have otherwise been unable to connect with. The benefits are obvious for students, parents, educators, and society in general.
