With the progression in technology, the classrooms are being modified to fit the changing requirements of the present generation of students. Everywhere from the higher educational institutions to the training courses for Upsc, are replacing the traditional modes of teaching in favor of modern educational technologies. The aim is to keep up with the demands of the current crop of digital population and to enable an all-encompassing and wholesome learning environment. The following are the top seven reasons for students to need technology in classrooms.

1. Establishes a connection of the students with real world

Technology lets the educators to move past the physical hindrances of classrooms. The real world is closely connected to the curriculum by the proper use of technology. A teacher can easily take the students to a virtual tour of places like Grand Canyon National Park, White House, and more while they sit comfortably in their classrooms. Learning the concepts become easier when they can be related to the actual world rather than sticking to only the textbooks. Right from the study of countries in Geography to learning historical facts, everything becomes easy with virtual learning.

2. Preparing the students for joining the workforce

To find a position in the workplaces of 21st Century just giving exams like UPSC exam is never going to be enough. The students must have a working knowledge of the important technological tools to be viable in the present world. Things like electronic whiteboards, teleconferencing, web pages, e-calendars, and more are very important skillsets to have in the present world. The integration of these technologies in the current curriculum helps the institutions to ensure that the students are valuable assets in the modern office.

3. Technology encourages collaboration between students

The modern educational tools offer a range of functionalities that helps in the promotion of collaborations. For instance, the advent of Skype gives a way for the students to arrange virtual meetings with the other students present anywhere in the world. Google drive gives students the ability to edit and share different projects with one another and that too, in real-time. The barriers of time or space are increasingly becoming blurry thanks to the arrival of technology in the classrooms. Students are able to share insights, tips, and ideas with each other in the numerous educational apps and online forums that have come up.

4. Enables customization according to different learners

As any seasoned educator will tell you, no two students are the same in their learning abilities, approaches, and intellect, be it a pupil in the school or an Upsc candidate. Different students need to be taught differently to ensure that the knowledge is properly imbibed by them. The educators can now address all the different learning styles thanks to the usage of technology. There are several educational feedback tools that let the teachers and professors understand which teaching style will work the best depending on the feedbacks received from the students in real time.

5. Greater accessibility of pertinent information

Technology helps students to access information more accurately and quickly. E-books and search engines are increasingly turning out to be substitutes for typical textbooks. Even in case of important competitive exams like Upsc, most of the material is easily available online. Personal tutors and coaching classes are increasingly becoming redundant as the students can seek help anytime and at any place from the educational videos. There is no longer a need to shift through ten volumes of books to find out one single piece of information. Just one right website can give you all the information and so much more.

6. Helps to make the students responsible digital citizens

Thanks to the numerous social media sites, the students of today’s times are by now digital citizens. When technology is incorporated in the classrooms, the students can be taught the importance and the ways to be responsible digital citizens. The classrooms can be used as a part of the digital landscape where students take their first lessons in the ways of communicating, searching, and engaging with the others on the social media platforms. There have been many reports of misuse of social media and by teaching the children the need of a responsible online behavior, it is ensured that they do not engage in horrific activities like cyberbullying, hacking, and more.

7. Adding a fun element to the learning process

Technology has the ability of making the process of learning really interesting and fun for the students. There have been many innovative teaching methods coming up in the recent years. Take the example of game-based teaching where the educators deliver lessons in various subjects through interactive games. It is seen that the students participate more whole heartedly and are more excited about the process of learning when technology is incorporated in the classrooms. Besides, the use of games, puzzles, and videos act as constant stimulation to the minds making sure that each lesson is well understood and not just mugged up to be forgotten later.