The transformation of education in American schools from a teacher-directed, passive learning model to a vibrant, interactive, student-led environment has been ongoing for decades, but recent advances in technology have accelerated the change, and more schools are adopting these technologies.
Today’s students are growing up in a digital world quite different from the one that their teachers knew when they were students. For the absolute beginner, the learning curve to using new EdTech can be steep. School leaders are finding that to meet the challenge, they need to update the content and delivery of their district’s professional development (PD) programs.
Here is a roundup of educational technology trends that we are seeing today and how these technologies are changing how teachers need to pursue PD.
1. 3D printing
3D printing has been around for a while and is used in various applications, from creating machine parts to building entire houses. As we’ve seen with most emerging technologies, the cost has dropped considerably over time, making 3D printing accessible to many school districts. Educators are using this technology to produce classroom materials like topographical maps and geometric shapes. They are also challenging their students to identify real-world problems and create products to solve them using 3D printing. These challenges engage students with hands-on activities that foster critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity.
2. Robotics
Robotics is more than just a novelty that entertains and motivates students. Apple founder Steve Jobs is often quoted as saying, “Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer because it teaches us how to think.” From the simplest color-coding lessons taught in the primary grades to the more complex systems that challenge high school students to apply knowledge of mechanics, electrical circuits, mathematics, and computer science, students using this technology are building strong problem-solving, project management, collaboration, and communication skills.
3. Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality, accessed with headsets, immerses learners in a digital world where they feel the sensations of entering a different place and time. Imagine a French class visiting Paris without physically leaving the classroom or social studies students traveling back in time to explore a medieval castle.
Augmented reality adds a digital layer to the real world. If you have ever uploaded a picture of your house to a paint supplier's website to try out different colored siding or tried an application to apply different hairstyles to a selfie, you have used augmented reality.
In the classroom, teachers are using augmented reality to cast hologram-type images into their classrooms to help students understand complex ideas. For example, a unit on the solar system could include a holographic projection of the planets as they orbit the sun. Students could move through the projection as if they were space explorers.
Using VR and AR in the classroom helps contextualize lessons and facilitates the understanding of content. A compelling argument for using this technology is that it reaches students with different learning styles, offering kinesthetic, auditory, and visual experiences.
4. AI Tools
AI burst on the scene over a year ago and is one of the fastest-growing educational technology trends. Including AI-enabled applications in a district’s tech plan is akin to giving each educator an assistant to help with daily tasks. Teachers can generate draft lesson plans complete with learning materials by entering a prompt and criteria, such as grade level and targeted state standards. They can adjust the reading level of texts to meet the needs of their students and enter IEP requirements for differentiated instruction. AI application developers have created programs to build rubrics, create assessments, and provide draft reviews of student essays.
5. Asynchronous PD Learning
Members of a district’s faculty bring various experiences, skills, and knowledge to their classrooms. Some educators can master new topics quickly, while others need more time to digest information. Traditional PD programs that offer group learning, usually in the form of lectures, slide presentations, and conferences, cannot meet the individual needs of all teachers. To effectively teach in a modern classroom, they need professional learning opportunities that are personalized, self-directed, and self-paced.
Asynchronous learning, where learners select their courses and move along a learning path on their own schedules, predates the internet. It has been available for generations as correspondence courses usually delivered via the US Postal Service.
Obviously, PD through the Post Office isn’t practical. However, cloud-based computing and mobile technology have made asynchronous learning a real possibility for districts that seek to modernize their programs. Thousands of platforms and online colleges offer asynchronous learning opportunities. To incorporate this type of learning into a PD program, school leaders need a way to develop lessons and learning paths that align with district requirements and to consolidate learning opportunities in one place. MobileMind is an innovative learning hub that meets these needs.
With MobileMind, districts can create personalized professional learning opportunities on any topic, including micro-lessons on how to effectively use these trending EdTech tools in the classroom. School leaders can use MobileMind tools to create lessons and build learning paths that will meet the unique needs of the district. They may also tap into the power of AI to generate courses based on video content using the AI Content Genie. MobileMind’s ReadyMade marketplace offers prebuilt learning opportunities created by industry professionals. All PD activities are consolidated in one place, making it easy to track progress and generate reports.
Modern PD Enables Educators to Stay Current with Educational Technology Trends
Teachers can access the learning hub from a mobile device or a browser extension and complete learning modules whenever and wherever they want. The self-paced style enables them to quickly move through materials they are comfortable with and slow down for more complex concepts. The ability to individualize learning means that educators can pursue PD that meets their needs based on their role in the district and their career stage.
Unlike traditional PD, learning is continuous. Learners master a skill and then move to the next level. As they make progress along a learning path, teachers are awarded badges and placement on a leaderboard, which encourages friendly competition with colleagues and creates a supportive learning community.
These exciting educational technology trends are changing classrooms across the country. To keep abreast of EdTech innovations, educators need access to personalized, continuous PD to effectively use these new tools. With MobileMind, school leaders can easily build PD programs to meet the needs of their district and their teachers.
MobileMind offers personalized professional development with activity-based learning. All PD activities are brought together in one space to simplify reporting and tracking. The ReadyMade Marketplace makes it easy for school leaders to develop relevant, effective PD programs. With one click, you can get pre-built learning paths, micro-courses, and badges for EdTech training. Schedule a call to learn more.
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