What Technology Is Used in Today’s K–12 Classrooms?
Technology has come so far that modern classrooms are more technologically advanced than many science labs were two decades ago. Students have access to digital textbooks, personal devices, collaborative cloud-based tools, and interactive whiteboards. Emerging technologies now being introduced to K–12 classrooms include voice assistants, virtual reality devices and 3D printers.
Perhaps the most important thing about ed tech in K–12 isn’t what the technology is, but how it’s used.
How to Integrate Technology into K–12 Classrooms
The first step to integrating technology into the K–12 classroom is figuring out which solution to integrate, given the large variety of tools available to educators. That variety comes with benefits — like the ability to align tech with district objectives and grade level — but also brings challenges.
“It’s difficult to know how to choose the appropriate digital tool or resource,” says Judi Harris, professor and Pavey Family Chair in Educational Technology at the William & Mary School of Education. “Teachers need some familiarity with the tools so that they understand the potential advantages and disadvantages.”