Technology use in the classroom has changed over the past decade. Students are learning in a different environment and the changes are being funded at higher levels than in previous years. Educational technology funding was expected to be as high as $4.7 billion in 2015, much of that being on laptop computers and other smart devices. This is changing the landscape in many classrooms and creating an environment that serves students in a whole new way.
Innovative apps and programs
Much of the spending on educational technology comes from the licensing of educational applications and programs. Online environments can be used to supplement mathematics classes. Other programs offer support in other academic areas. Many of these programs are backed by venture capital investors or grant money from organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Instructors and administrators are often left to wonder which programs to use and what works most effectively. Technology coordinators, who generally hold a master’s in educational technology, generally work directly with school districts or administrators to provide guidance in this area.
Beyond just programs
Educational technology isn’t just limited to the programs that students and instructors use. It can also refer to the physical devices that are being used in the classroom. Schools purchase laptops, desktops and tablets to offer students access to devices that they would not be able to use otherwise. Other uses of technology include the platforms on which online classes are built. Blackboard and Moodle are both widely used to manage online courses, offering a learning management system that can be customized to fit the desired learning outcomes and environment.
Educational technology planning
All of the technology that could be put into a classroom can only do so much good. Without a leader to coordinate all of this, it can quickly become a mess. Compatibility issues, program update issues, peripheral devices not connecting correctly, and even dead links can quickly derail a student who is preparing to work. Beyond that, poor planning can waste money that districts intended to be an investment in students’ learning.
The best educational technology implementation complements great instructors. A well-qualified leader can develop long-term plans for technology use and assist both students and faculty in learning best practices. With such large investments coming into the educational technology world, it only makes sense to have a strong support system in place. Creating value for the student, the instructor, and the entire school system is a challenge, but the right professional can do it and make a very important difference in the learning community.
Learn about the Lamar University online M.Ed. in Educational Technology Leadership program.
Sources:
http://www.geekwire.com/2015/can-count-2-billion-education-technology-investment-hits-new-record/
