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When I was at school I distinctly remember hiding my mobile phone under my desk for fear of it being taken away by my teacher. A few years on and there has been a definite shift in the view of technology in schools. The internet now plays a vital role in a child’s upbringing and Tablets, and mobile devices are now embraced and becoming increasingly reliable sources. With society becoming more hi tech, it makes sense to bring these elements to the classroom. I will be looking into the advantages of technology in education and how teachers use the internet to engage with their students.
The internet has completely changed the way we access information. Having to go to the library to gather knowledge from books seems to be a thing of the past, as all the material you need is a click away. Students can use online journals and books to obtain research, and YouTube for online tutorials. Nowadays pupils don’t even have to walk down the corridor to the computer room, as educational tablets are used at their desks. Some may say this shift from using books to browsing the internet is making life too easy for students, however I believe it is convenient and can broaden the information they can access in a shorter period of time.
Teachers are also beginning to incorporate technology into their lessons. An interactive white board seems a lot more appealing to a student than literature being copied out onto an old fashioned chalk board. It also means that they can present a lot of information, using fewer resources. Many parents will ban their child from using sites such as Facebook, as they see it as distracting, however some teachers will argue that social media can be used in a productive way to encourage learning. They use interactive programmes and social networking sites to engage students and enhance their learning. Here are some of my favourite examples.
'If you are reading this, please click LIKE'
Julie Anne Culp wanted to show her students the capability of the internet and how quickly an image can go viral. She posted a photo of herself on Facebook and it was liked 392,000 times and shared more than 30,000 times. Her campaign was a success as she shows how powerful the internet is, along with highlighting the dangers of using it.
“Be Brave against Bullying”
Although social media can be argued as a platform for bullying, here is an example of where it has done the opposite. Bullying is something every school experiences so the United Federation of Teachers set up a social media platform that gives advice and support. Their twitter page gives students and teachers the chance to express their views and raise awareness on the subject.
“Interactive Pin Board”
Pinterest is my final and favorite example of a social media outlet that can be used for educational purposes. It is an app that allows you to post photos and tutorials onto an interactive pin board. Educators and pupils are able to share ideas and tips on different subjects and I can see how it attracts its users with its pretty backgrounds and fun concept.
