Technology to support teachers

Technology to support teachers

Technology can be used to support teachers in a variety of ways. First, using technological tools can enable teachers to be more efficient in preparing for their classes (Mominó et al., 2008). Data on the use of technology in the classroom show that the solutions by and large preferred by teachers are the ones that streamline their work and bring about efficiency gains, especially when it comes to the introduction of content. The success of digital blackboards, for example, can be attributed to their ability to optimize routines, content and materials that are part of the traditional work of the teacher in the classroom (Higgins, 2010). 

Second, technology can help teachers customize their teaching materials and methods according to individual students’ needs. For example, there are many cases of technology facilitating new teaching and learning strategies for students with special educational needs (Maora et al., 2011).

 

Technological solutions have led to significant improvements in learning by allowing teachers to adjust the proposed activities to the specific needs of a certain student.

Technology can also be used to improve the collection of student data to inform instruction. Using an online platform, for instance, teachers can follow student progress and view data for individual students. Information can easily be shared with administrators and teaching teams to increase communication about students and expedite decision-making regarding interventions and teaching strategies.

Technology can facilitate communication between teachers, students, parents and administrators. For example, parents can often access a school’s educational platform to follow their child’s progress, potentially increasing parental involvement in education (Anderson et al., 2010). In some countries, school platforms are becoming increasingly common, by publishing digital materials and resources to make them available to students on a ‘24/7’ basis.