Using Technology to Personalize Learning in K – 12

Most students today have never experienced a world without the use of technology in one form or another. Most teenagers own a cell phone, and even 6th graders have been exposed to various social media platforms.

The advances in the digital technology arena have proven one thing – what seems to be a novelty today will most likely be the commonplace of tomorrow. Technology has shown to be revolutionary in the classroom, with the opportunities to submit tasks via email, research information, and watch educational videos online.

Can this be advanced even further to personalize the learning experience?

The shift

There have been various conversations around using technology in the classroom, its benefits, and its disadvantages. However, there is still a divide between students who use digital technology to enhance and support their learning and those who use it primarily for entertainment purposes.

This is a hurdle that seems to be constant, however, one that still does not impact the reality that technology has transformed education in several ways [1]

Integrating technology into teaching

Leveraging technology to improve productivity and increase learner engagement in the classroom is not a new concept. This allows teachers to personalize the learning experience while improving instruction and delivery methods.

Teachers are better able to foster collaboration both in person and via online learning tools. Because each child is different, teachers are in a better position to incorporate different learning styles.

Many studies have indicated that that retention of learning material is greatly enhanced by multimedia learning, with connected educators being the key to opening and improving lines of communication by understanding how best to reach students on a level that they understand. Schools, in general, can benefit from a reduction in the costs of producing learning materials, and of course, being more efficient.

The benefits of technology for students

Implementing digital technology for students offers as many psychological benefits as it does practical benefits. Furthermore, using the same tools in both learning and recreation make the learning process much more exciting in and out of the classroom.

This ultimately means that students are more likely to show greater interest, creativity, and increased productivity simply because the method is a familiar one that they’re comfortable with. Apart from this, integration of technology into the school environment facilitates ease of support with materials being constantly available, making learning more adaptive rather than time-specific, and allowing students to learn at their own pace [2]

On a practical level, the use of technology better equips learners for their working careers. The information technology field is one of the fastest-growing industries, with employment opportunities expected to grow at least 13% by 2030 [3]. In addition, almost all industries are now using some technology for product and/ or service delivery.

In Conclusion

The integration of technology into learning is a subject discussed for the last two decades at least. The outcomes have ultimately always led to the same conclusion.

The advantages of personalizing each experience are notable, and the prioritizing of forming future leaders equipped with the necessary tools to lead the way beyond the 21st century is undoubtedly the major focal point.

Sources

[1] https://tech.ed.gov/files/2017/01/NETP17.pdf

[2]https://www.ed.gov/oii-news/use-technology-teaching-and-learning

[3]https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/mobile/home.htm