Technology in the classroom

Technology in the classroom

Learning technologies have been essential for teachers and students for decades, if not centuries. In fact, at one point, even a piece of paper was considered cutting edge. But recently, advanced tools such as the internet, voice recognition and AI chatbots have turbocharged technology use in the classroom. In fact, one estimate is that around 80% of British teachers use technology to support students’ literacy on a regular basis.

Despite the positive aspects of greater access to technology, educators sometimes have to consider potential drawbacks for themselves and for their students that come with too much emphasis on online tools. Distractions from social media, entertainment, and gaming have the potential to undermine student success. To achieve a healthy balance, there are things you should consider as an educator.

Too take full advantage of technology, you need to think strategically and understand not just what to use, but also when and why to use it.

Consider these tips for teachers on how to use technology in the classroom:

Technology resources to meet your teaching objectives

The first thing to think about is why you want to use technology. Whether it’s to conduct assessments, save time explaining concepts, or just to access content, knowing what you want is key. If you know the benefits you’ll get from technology, then you can choose the right product to meet your needs. It can sometimes be difficult for teachers to fully accept technology in the classroom, but when the benefits are clear, this will go a long way towards making sure it’s a success.

Resources to meet your students’ needs

One thing to bear in mind is that teachers sometimes assume students automatically find technology engaging and useful. Sometimes they don't. They might find technology-use to be overly cumbersome or unhelpful toward their own achievement.

Students often have different motivations for using technology in the classroom. Sometimes technology can make their life easier – other times it helps them engage with a subject area in a way that is fun and interesting, such as getting more practice in language comprehension by watching popular TV shows or videos on YouTube.

To understand what your students want to get out of technology in the classroom, watch how they use their devices and talk to them about why they use technology. If students take an active part in decisions about technologies they use to learn, you’re much more likely to find the one that works for them.

AI and chatbots can do more than you think

You may have already seen work that students created using a chatbot, thinking that perhaps you wouldn’t notice. However, when used for good, a chatbot can be a powerful digital teaching assistant, saving you time and unlocking new opportunities for learning.

For example, students can use a chatbot to correct their writing, or even simplify a reading text.

Chatbots can also enhance students’ language and critical-thinking skills. Although we think their answers are free from bias, they often reflect a limited view of the world. Embrace this reality by getting students to question the explanations and translations offered by chatbots, and allow them to think critically about technology and language. This turns even the most basic task into an opportunity for students to think more deeply on how technology should be evaluated for bias and potentially harm. For example, if you’re doing a debate lesson, have your groups question and debate with the chatbot before speaking to each other, exposing them to new arguments and ways of thinking.

Language learning apps can be homework

Language learning apps can offer engagement and motivation to students. . They offer exercises, quizzes, and gamified activities to practice English. They also provide personalized feedback and progress tracking, enabling students to learn at their own pace. 

As part of their homework, you could ask students to reach a certain level on one of these apps. Make sure that students have access to the right devices though, as it may lead to disadvantaged students lacking access to these resources and falling behind. With access to these apps, you’ll find that your students are learning to be more autonomous and engaged in class.

Teaching English using technology

The incorporation of technology in English lessons holds immense potential but needs to be used strategically and with a fair amount of caution.  For more ideas on how to use technology in the classroom, visit the EF Teacher Zone for an overview of the most commonly used digital learning tools available.

This post covers only a fraction of technology’s potential, so if you have other considerations or a favorite product that you use with your students, write us a comment or let us know what it is. We’d love to hear your ideas.