Authentic Learning and Ed-Tech: A Match Made In Heaven
Authentic learning incorporates real-world scenarios with education, giving students meaningful experience and knowledge regarding their work. There are plenty of advantages to this method of learning, making it an extremely popular technique.
However, when ed-tech is used to supplement authentic learning, students’ gains are even more noticeable. This article will discuss why authentic learning and ed-tech is a match made in heaven.
Students and Technology
Nowadays, most students own their own smartphones. This makes using technology in the classroom to supplement authentic learning extremely easy and reasonable. Students will understand how the technology works, meaning that the educator will not have to waste valuable class time teaching them how to use devices.
Also, children enjoy using technology in their free time. If ed-tech is incorporated into their school work, the odds are high that they will end up enjoying classes much more.
Thinking and Real-World Problem Solving Skills
Technology can teach students about thinking and real-world problem-solving skills, which is the whole idea behind authentic learning.
For example, YouTube videos, websites, news articles, images, and even games can expose students to problems that are related to their classwork. The students would then be required to find solutions to these problems, which will teach them valuable life skills and enhance their education.
Movies and documentaries are also commonly used to enhance authentic learning. For instance, if students learn about the effects of substance abuse, they could be shown films that display the various dangerous side effects.
Students Can Interact With Classmates Outside Of the Classroom
Most jobs involve employees needing to communicate through technology, making it an essential skill that all students should have. Thus, technology can be used in the classroom to develop students’ digital literacy skills.
There are plenty of apps that students can use to communicate and collaborate with their classmates and teachers. Pedagogue is an innovative tool that allows students to share work, ideas, and learning materials with their peers. This makes it much easier to complete group projects, discuss work with classmates, and enhance their technology skills.
Pedagogue can also be used to communicate with students and teachers worldwide, which brings diversity into the classroom. This means that students will get the opportunity to learn from other students.
Concluding Thoughts
Authentic learning involves teachers bringing real-world scenarios into the classroom, allowing them to receive a much more in-depth, meaningful, and realistic education. However, ed-tech can be used to enhance this learning style even more. There are a few reasons as to why authentic learning and ed-tech are a match made in heaven.
For starters, most students will own their own smartphones and understand how the technology works. Technology can also be used to teach students thinking and real-world problem-solving skills. Lastly, students can use apps and tools to interact with their classmates, teachers, and students from all over the world.