Top 5 Education Technology Tools – Smart Class Education

PCs, Netbooks, DVD players, projectors etc are all technologies that have been around for a long time and which we are all familiar with. Some educational institutes are also starting to use iPods, PDAs and smartphones to facilitate learning, considering the high levels of penetration that these devices have seen. Most of these already have larger screens than the older generation devices, and are enabled for wireless connectivity. Some other technologies include integrated audio and video systems, Smart boards and document cameras.

Here I list few of the technologies :

Smart Boards -
Smart boards are interactive white boards that allow teachers and students to collaborate in the classroom. In fact smart boards were introduced by Smart technologies in 1991. These white boards have multi touch capabilities and can accept input from a pen or finger. They can work with any software that has been installed on the computer or laptop. The intuitiveness of these technologies means that they are simple to use, and require no special tools for training. Using a smart board also gives teachers and students access to a range of educational resources which they would not have access to otherwise.

Document Cameras -
Document cameras are tools that allow images to be captured and then displayed to the whole class by means of a projector. Also known as digital visualizers. These cameras can be rotated to cover all surfaces of any object that is to be displayed to the class. For classroom settings that call for larger working areas, they can be mounted on the ceilings. The zoom feature of these cameras ensures that even small text can be enlarged sufficiently to enable a classroom of students to read it. Someday I hope bonding in atoms is taught in a similar fashion.

Over-Head Projectors -
While document cameras essentially do the same thing as the traditionally used over-head projectors, the difference used over-head projectors. The difference is that while using a document camera, you do need to darken the room. This can be helpful in a classroom environment.

Video Conferencing Tools -
Other teaching aids include video conferencing tools, which allow students to attend lectures from wherever they are. Even they can replay lectures that they have missed. This can be huge aid, especially in countries like India where there is a dearth of qualified teachers. Being able to replay recorded lectures can also offer huge benefits to students who have difficulty understanding the language they are being taught in.

Bulk SMS Services -
Bulk SMS services facilitate the university to aware students about the time table schedule of the lectures, important events of the college, re-opening date of the college. For hostellers this technology enables the students to spend quality time at home if they are well informed.

Well there are loads of other tech-related methods that make education more interesting. I hope you comment below so that I too know more about them. At the end I would conclude by saying that in this age of super specialization and dynamic new markets and opportunities, a tech enabled education could definitely lay your strong foundation and would help you stand out from the crowd.