How the Digital Classroom Is Changing Education

It was once novel that a school might have a computer lab where a class might visit once or twice a week to play educational games like The Oregon Trail or learn how to type. Now, technology permeates the classroom, with even rural schools offering Chromebooks to students. With innovations like software for classroom management, lessons customized to each student’s style of learning, and collaboration with other schools or experts around the world, technology has changed education. 


Classroom Management

In the old days of computer labs, teachers would need to walk around and check screens to ensure students were on-task. Now, top classroom management software enables teachers to manage from the head of the class, as the software allows them to easily monitor the Chromebooks students are using in the classroom at their desks. This helps educators ensure all students are engaged and progressing through the lesson at a reasonable pace.

When schools utilize an easy-to-use classroom management software, all it takes is a few clicks and the teacher’s screen is shared with the class. With this, there’s no need for handouts, projectors, or the like. With individual screens, students won’t have to strain to see the board from the back of the room. Some of the best classroom management software will give educators the ability to lock and blank student screens to help refocus attention when needed. A corresponding web filter can work with a school’s existing filters to highlight which sites students are allowed to visit in the classroom. A whitelist of URLs for students can empower them to use their time wisely in the classroom and help them stay focused by removing distractions such as social media. It can also help educators give direction for the classroom by providing approved websites that can help guide learning.

Increased Collaboration

Technology connects not only students but also resources. Access to experts has never been closer, with students Tweeting at industry leaders or performing video calls with guest speakers, all from the classroom. Students in rural communities can even communicate with students from a big city on the other side of the country.

Some of the best classroom management software allows teachers to share a student’s screen and highlight their work. This gives the student an opportunity to practice their presentation skills while increasing student-to-student collaboration. A wealth of information and resources that were unimaginable a generation ago are now readily available at a moment’s notice. It is not uncommon for students to do research at home, aided by technology and meet in small groups in the classroom to discuss and dissect.

Personalized Learning

Digital classrooms allow for more personalized, student-directed learning. Some software, like Netop’s Vision for Chromebooks and Vision 365 for Windows, features the ability to push a URL to each computer and let students explore a resource at their own pace. Teachers can tailor the educational experience to individual students or groups that have similar learning styles. Today’s digital textbooks are typically interactive, with videos, games, and more helping students with differing learning styles synthesize information in the best format for them.

Changing lesson plans on the fly to adjust for the progress of the class or individual students is simple with technology. Instead of rote memorization from a lecture, students are actively engaged, taking responsibility for their learning. Teachers are facilitators instead of lecturers, guiding students and fostering discussion. They can introduce media and other elements to reach a wider portion of their classroom than was previously possible with a simple whiteboard or overhead projector.

About Netop

For more than 30 years, Netop has developed software solutions that connect educators and businesses to computers and smart devices by using remote access, screen-sharing, and video chat technologies. Netop’s Vision for Chromebooks and the Office 365-compatible Vision 365 for Windows are the go-to platforms for easy-to-use, effective classroom management software. Vision enables educators to monitor the screens in their classrooms and redirect attention as needed. Teachers can minimize distractions and increase student engagement with the intuitive Vision platform. Vision connects more than 6 million teachers and students worldwide and is available in 13 languages.

For more information on Netop’s Vision classroom management software, visit Netop.com

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