In days gone by, before the advent of computers and other forms of technology, classrooms were all about chalkboards and chalk. If the teacher wanted to try and engage their pupils they had only very limited resources and their own confidence and knowledge to do it with.
Today things are very different. Innovation is a dynamic and forward thinking word, but it is necessary to introduce this word into every classroom if we want to give our children the best education possible.
So how can we do this? Firstly it pays to think about how each child learns. Different people learn in different ways – some learn better if they can visualise something in front of them for example. Others learn by hearing something and remembering it. And more will learn through reading something rather than looking at images.
The modern classroom has gone way beyond simple textbooks and chalkboards when it comes to finding ways to engage with pupils. Technology has opened up many more methods for helping children learn on many different levels, from using computers in the classroom to enjoying the benefits of the internet.
Multimedia is a significant case in point. The main benefit of multimedia learning is that it is good for every kind of learner. In the past pupils who needed images to really engage them in learning would have struggled to stay focused while the teacher wrote pertinent points on a chalkboard. Now it is a very different beast indeed, with interactive whiteboards coming into play in many different lessons.
Innovation is all about ideas. Ideas must still come from the teachers themselves if we are to create truly engaging lessons that will work on many levels. There is no doubt that by using multimedia and modern technology to help get those messages across, we can achieve better results than we would otherwise.
Modern technology can also help to wipe out the problems experienced by less confident pupils. Not everyone has the confidence to speak up in class for fear of having the wrong answer. With individual handsets that enable children to enter their answer without other pupils knowing what they have put, teachers can get a much better idea of who needs additional help. This is the real power in classroom innovation – the power to gain more knowledge from the pupils as well as leading them to gain more knowledge themselves.
We can be inspired by new technology like the IWB and we can use it to enhance classes and engage pupils on a level previously unattainable. We can also look to the future for new innovations for the classroom, so we can look forward to taking things to the next level entirely.
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Tags: best education, chalkboard, chalkboards, computers in the classroom, interactive whiteboards, multimedia learning, pertinent points, technology classrooms, using computers in the classroom, using multimedia