The accelerating proliferation of technology in the classroom has altered traditional learning models and the requirements of students. Today’s students expect and look forward to using technology like laptops and iPads in the classroom. Schools must realize that in order to capture the attention of today’s tech-savvy students and properly prepare them for a successful future, they must incorporate classroom technology into their teaching.
For centuries, the primary method of teaching was lectures. Teacher presents the information and the students listen and regurgitate in tests. This method is no longer the only acceptable method anymore. There are actually more effective methods using technology in the classroom that will capture the attention of today’s little digital natives.
Although the students are obviously the most enthusiastic ones about using their beloved mobile devices on school wireless networks, there are many teachers that are just as excited about incorporating them into their lessons. Mobile devices like iPads, laptops, and smart phones have become a very effective tool for teaching, planning, and organizing. Students and teachers alike love their mobile devices!
Here’s a look at some interesting results from a survey on how schools are using all this new technology in the classrooms and their expectations for future classroom technology.
Students and faculty say they are personally using the following technology as a learning tool in the classroom:
Students
-Laptop/netbook 75%
-Learning Management System 56%
-Smartphone 50%
-Student response system 43%
-Tablet 26%
Teachers
-Laptop/netbook 72%
-Learning Management System 58%
-Smartphone 36%
-Student response system 24%
-Tablet 34%
In the last 2 years, just under half of faculty report a shift away from the traditional lecture model, and another 20% are considering a change.
Students want more faculty to incorporate even more of the following technologies into their lessons:
-
- 48% want more digital content
-
47% want tablets
-
30% want telepresence
In any given week, students and faculty say they are using the following technology in the classroom at least once:
Students
-Digital Content 62%
-Tablets 71%
-Telepresence 42%
Teachers
-Digital Content 68%
-Tablets 75%
-Telepresence 30%
Today, just 23% of students say they are very satisfied with the way faculty spend class time. They want to use more technology in class.
69% of students would like to incorporate even more technology in the classroom.
67% of IT professionals say faculty requests for classroom technology are up in the last two years.
87%of IT professionals say they need to upgrade their district/ institution’s infrastructure to incorporate more technology in the classroom.
Students and Faculty agree, the #1 technology they want is laptops/netbooks. Coming in at #2 is tablets.
Source: CDW-G Learn Now, Lecture Later 2012
Over the past few years programs like BYOD (bring your own device) and 1-to-1have been implemented in schools all over the country to help bring more technology into the classrooms. As you can see from the results above having these mobile devices in the classrooms is important to many students and teachers. The most vital thing to remember about bringing these great learning tools into the classroom though is you must have the right wireless network infrastructure to support all these mobile devices.
If your school is ready to start bringing in some of this useful classroom technology to your school wireless network we are here to help. We have helped schools all over the country implement BYOD, 1-to-1 programs, and combinations of the two to get just the right solution to bring in these devices and make sure their school wireless network is prepared for the future of mobile learning as well. If you have any questions or would like a free consultation please feel free to contact us here. We are always happy to help. You can download one of our free guides as a good resource as well. Good luck!
