HOW EDTECH BOOSTS STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOLS

EdTech is a term that describes educational technologies that help schools and teachers reach their educational goals in new and exciting ways. The definition of EdTech is essentially the use of technology to improve education. It includes products, apps, and tools that enhance learning for students. It is more about delivering a new form of learning using digital technology. This new form of learning harnesses the Internet's social power to deliver personalized training that can adjust to the students' learning needs and analyses big data to determine how students can most effectively progress. 

EdTech creates efficiencies by relieving teachers of their workload, increasing cost efficiency and improving student engagement and digital literacy. Classroom technologies must work well together to successfully embed digital learning into the curriculum. Technology plays an increasingly important role in schools, and more technologies are available to teachers every year.

 EdTech can improve learning and boosts students performance in the following key areas:

1. IMPROVES CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT 

Attention issues in class are nothing new. The biggest teaching challenge is low student engagement. EdTech puts the power of learning directly in students' hands. Through EdTech, students become more interested and more active in learning activities. EdTech also improves communication among students and enables them to have easy access to lecture materials at the time of discussions. Students are automatically engaged when technology becomes a part of the educational sector. Students love technology, so incorporating it into the classroom gets them excited about learning. 

By adding technology to lesson plans, teachers can also improve student engagement without doing much extra work. As an offshoot of the introduction of EdTech, classes are more enjoyable and exciting, resulting in more knowledge gained in less time. Research shows that students studying in a technology sensitive environment performs better in all subject areas, develops a positive attitude towards learning, generates new ideas, and gain self-confidence. With EdTech tools, students can engage in more creative work. They can create online presentations and digital art to show off what they've learned.

2. ENHANCED COLLABORATION:

EdTech enables students to work together on projects, communicate easily at home or in the classroom, and share their work online. Students can collaborate with ease with Edtech. They can communicate easily at home or in class and work on projects together. They can share feedback, brainstorm, create media, or hang out. Working together is a great way to improve students' academic performance and encourage students to learn teamwork, especially since teamwork is essential. Additionally, collaboration leads to better learning.

With the help of education technology, some schools allow students to connect with mentors across the globe.

 3. TRACKS STUDENTS PROGRESS:

EdTech helps measure students' progress by providing data. Many programs can automatically provide teachers with student data, showing what skills students have mastered and need to improve. EdTech improves students' achievements and raises their scores. Tools that measure students' progress and assist with test preparation raise scores. EdTech provides a way for teachers to differentiate learning. Students can each focus on something different on their devices, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses. Teachers can also track students behavior and keep parents informed with EdTech tools that help teachers manage the classroom. Students who are below grade level can use EdTech tools to catch up. There are numerous resources available for remediating students using EdTech.

EdTech accelerates students who may be bored with the material the rest of the class is attempting. They can, thus, do additional projects and accelerate their learning. EdTech also consists of apps and programs that grade students' work, saving their time and increasing their progress. Big data and analytics techniques provide teachers with more specific and in-depth insights into individual students' achievements and progress. As a result of today's educational tools, teachers can retrieve real-time data on student engagement and performance, allowing them to identify students who are ready to move forward and those who need a bit more support. Using EdTech, therefore, teachers can tailor lessons to each student's interests and needs. When students can access curated content and work at their own pace, they take ownership of their education and are more likely to succeed.

4. ENHANCES COMMUNICATION AMONG STUDENTS AND TEACHERS 

With technology and the Internet, students can stay in touch at all times. Students can use apps to communicate with their teachers, while their teachers can, in turn, send essential reminders. Students also get help with their homework. EdTech allows students to continue learning after school using the Internet. That is, students can continue classes even when they return home. The flipped classroom, in which students read or watch videos at home before doing projects or discussing what they learned in class, is only possible with EdTech. This innovative way of teaching and learning transforms the world of education. Learning does not have to end when students leave the classroom. EdTech allows students to continue learning at home via the Internet. There are several free materials online that can assist teachers in quickly constructing lesson plans for students to practice. 

5. INTERACTIVE EDUCATION 

EdTech makes learning more fun because of its interactive nature. 

Instructors can make use of educational games and apps instead of boring routines. 

Students can use EdTech tools to do more creative work, such as creating online presentations and digital art to display what they've learned. Effective technology, such as a smart board and PowerPoint, provides exemplary methods for presenting lecture materials, enhances students' concentration, and enables them to use lecture time more efficiently. 

This innovative approach to teaching and learning is revolutionising education. For example, it's possible to turn lesson reviews into games. Many apps allow teachers to turn review activities or test prep into fun games. EdTech can make otherwise dull reviews a lot more interesting. Students have virtually everything they need in the palm of their hands, thanks to EdTech, whether it is a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone. With options such as game-based learning apps, students can learn while having fun. As engagement improves, students become more and more excited about learning. 

Incorporating technology will likely improve student engagement among introverted students as it gives these categories of students a chance to get involved. For example, students can submit questions via a particular platform virtually. Without this option, they could have missed out on a great learning experience. 

6. INCREASES OPPORTUNITIES TO PRACTICE:

Many resources are available to help students utilise EdTech. Students below grade level can use EdTech to catch up. Instead of creating a presentation that people cannot see outside the classroom, students also utilise the Internet to publish their works for the universe to see. Researching is an essential skill that teachers have always taught. EdTech makes it easier for students to research without spending hours in the library. Students can even do their research at home. 

Students must become digitally sound to thrive in this 21st century. Knowledge of technological know-how and the Internet is a fundamental skill everyone needs for virtually every job they will likely hold after graduation. EdTech enhances digital literacy among students, boosting their overall academic performance. Digital literacy refers to finding, evaluating, creating, and communicating information using information and communication technologies. Digital literacy is an essential skill that students need to succeed in their field. Students everywhere will benefit from enhancing their digital literacy to prepare them for future success better. A good curriculum equips teachers with relevant content to help students learn. Still, it is the purposeful use of EdTech that elevates a lesson from good to great and sustains the students' interest in lessons, thereby improving their academic performance. Despite the curriculum being good and containing the necessary content to help students learn, the intentional use of technology makes the class seem impressive. When quality technology meets quality content, learning comes alive. Through EdTech and quality content, students can also see and feel what it was like to study historical events.

Have you incorporated technology into teaching and learning? Which of these critical areas stands out for you? Share with us in the comment box.