Teachers do what they do because they love what they do. They don’t choose to spend time planning, executing, reflecting, and modifying lesson plans because the hours are good and the holidays are a bonus. Teachers love their jobs, they love the children that they work with every day, and they deserve to work in an environment that fosters learning and creates opportunities to engage and challenge every day.

Unfortunately, what teachers deserve they don’t very often get by way of a classroom that is set up with the right educational technology.

In this article we look at the various ways a school can get their educational technology set up so as to lighten the load for the teachers on the ground that deal with the poor internet connections, the old software versions, and the overhead projectors that don’t play sound, and actually only turn on at the best of times, if they’re lucky .

Interactive technology to engage and enhance learning opportunities

A classroom is supposed to invite, engage and create authentic learning experiences for the children within its four walls. In this day and age technology is so much a part of the children’s everyday lives, that it needs to be a part of their schooling lives as well.

Schools have a myriad of technological options available to them to enhance learning opportunities and, if set up correctly, these options will last a long time meaning that their investment is well worth it.

Consider setting up a smart tablet to display through an interactive whiteboard, which will allow teachers to roam freely (and keep an eye on those kids that make the wrong behaviour choices) while still engaging the class with hands-on learning experiences.

Consider technology that can be used beyond the classroom

As part of their commitment to teaching, teachers are required to undertake professional development to enhance their own understandings of best practice and curriculum changes. This sees the teachers becoming students, and shouldn’t they be offered the same opportunities to enhance their learning through up to date technology and authentic interactions?

When upgrading your school’s audio-visual or video conferencing facilities, consider having this equipment set up in an environment that can cater to more that just the children’s needs. Such equipment could be set up within a library or a hall, thereby allowing both children and adult learners to participate in lessons using the latest technology trends.

The latest advancements in technology come with infrastructure

It’s really wonderful to be living in the Information Age where children can interact with their classmates sitting next to them one minute, and then with a sister school halfway across the world the next minute. Many schools are embracing the opportunities to communicate with other cultures to create a more realistic understanding of where we stand in relation to the world around us.

With the ongoing improvements and advancements in technology comes the need to ensure that access is maintained. Set up your infrastructure early to cope with the ever changing technology landscape so that learners, teachers and staff benefit in the long term

Setting up your school with the right educational technology takes forethought and planning along with the right team of professionals behind you to guide and support. The team at Precision Industries has been supporting Australian schools to do just this for the last four years. Let them help you today by taking advantage of their free technology review, plan and consultation.