Ways to increase student engagement using technology

According to (Schwartz, 2015) students are quickly becoming more comfortable with classroom technology, allowing them to shift from thinking about the technical side of integrating a new tool to focusing on how it improves learning. While the sheer number of education apps is still overwhelming, increasingly teachers have found what works for them and are sticking to them.Most 12-year-olds love playing videogames -- Thomas Suarez taught himself how to create them. After developing iPhone apps like "Bustin Jeiber," a whack-a-mole game, he is now using his skills to help other kids become developers. (Filmed at TEDxManhattanBeach.)

According to (Erbaggio 2016), online technologies can be used as powerful tools to realize these principles in language and culture education. Course Management Systems (CMS), for example, with their integrated communication tools such as email, chat, and discussion boards can create effective learning environments by making learning more social, enjoyable, and less stressful (Carmean & Haefner, 2002). The deployment of a CMS facilitates cognitive processes in language learning (Hanson-Smith, 2000).

I believe when students have this technology, they can create things and they have the opportunity to engage with each other. They can innovate things…. when they have photoshop in front of them and I say do this, this, and this, what they can create is always going to be complete, uniquely different. And, they become artists with that or they become filmmakers, or they become web designers. Like they can take on a lot of really advanced roles, and I think that’s something that technology does uniquely provide because you can’t be a web designer without that technology.You can’t create a film without that technology. And, I feel like that’s really different than a textbook.


References

Schwartz, K. (February 27, 2017). Teacher Recommended 50 Favorite Classroom Apps. Retrieved from URL https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/07/29/teacher-recommended-50-favorite-teaching-apps/
Suarez, T. (Oct 24, 2012). [video life]. A 12-year-old App Developer | Thomas Suarez. Retrieved from URL https://youtu.be/Fkd9TWUtFm0
Erbaggio, P., Gopalakrishnan, S., Hobbs, S., & Liu, H. (2016). Enhancing Student Engagement Through Online Authentic Materials. IALLT Journal of Language Learning Technologies, 42(2).
Wolfram. (February 27, 2017). Wolfram Technology System for K–8 & Primary Schools. Retrieved from URL https://www.wolfram.com/education/elementary-schools/