Technology

Virtual Reality in Schools

Jan 19, 2023 | Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

With the advancement in digitalisation, educational institutions have started using newer technology, such as virtual reality, in their learning modes. Modern learning environments utilise virtual reality in open learning methods to make education more accessible to learners.

There are several ways of integrating virtual reality into learning modes. One example is incorporating the technology of VR into the medical demonstrations, where the learners learn the medicinal terms without coming in contact with any bacteria or harmful substances.

Virtual reality in vocational subjects in schools

Dec 19, 2022 | Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

Virtual Reality is the use of computer technology in the creation of a simulated environment that can be explored in 360 degrees. Hence, virtual use creates an assisted reality where people can explore the concepts around them according to their terms. Virtual reality is being increasingly integrated into new teaching methods in various educational institutions across the world. This integration facilitates the students to immerse in the alternative world and grasp the concepts in a fun way.

Virtual reality can be used in the classroom in two ways. One way is when a student explores a virtual environment using a computer. The other is where a student explores using some input device, such as a controller or virtual reality headset. The latter setup completely immerses students through the use of a head-mounted display.

The future of virtual classrooms

Dec 5, 2022 | Technology, Teaching | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

In the next ten years, significant shifts will be made to how we acquire knowledge. Recent developments in digital media, communication, and bandwidth have made it feasible to provide education at a much-reduced cost compared to more conventional methods. Students have access to a wide variety of materials on the internet, including text, audio, and video content, as well as interactive and collaborative tools. When polled, eighty-five per cent of today’s online students responded positively to whether or not they thought distance learning was on par with or even better than conventional classroom-based courses. The human connection is an essential component of classroom instruction that video-on-demand or virtual classroom courses do not have and severely miss.

Does gamification assist primary school children learning?

Dec 1, 2022 | Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

The use of game mechanics in settings that are not intended for gaming is called gamification. It is done to improve the user experience. It is not a simple effort to create a learning environment that encourages creative thinking. Teachers often adhere to more conventional methods during language instruction, such as the chalk-and-talk method. Lessons conducted using pen and paper are less appealing to primary school children of the 21st century, who would rather participate in activities that are more like games. Because of this, the use of gamification in the classroom would immediately result in passion and interest, leading to the learners’ eagerness to study.

What is gamification?

The use of game-design components and game-play principles in settings unrelated to gaming is what is meant to be understood as “gamification.” For instance, the acquisition of virtual “points” or some other form of currency, as well as the completion of a series of tasks or activities to advance to the next level, are both elements that can be used in contexts other than gaming to provide a learning environment that is both enjoyable and stimulating.

Educational Games can provide great benefits

May 21, 2021 | ICT, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

Educational games have the potential to help a child develop their learning skills.

5 simple strategies…for using technology as an aid to learning

Jan 4, 2019 | Technology, Teaching | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

Schools, just like every other sector of society, are using more technology than ever before.

In 2015, official government statistics found that schools in the UK spend more than £900m on educational technology each year.

Using technology to help improve behaviour in schools

Aug 2, 2018 | Behaviour, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

Technology that improves the learning experience and enhances teaching methods is already utilised widely across the UK and beyond.

However, technology isn’t solely confined to assisting academic achievement – it can also be used in various ways to improve behaviour.

Will handwriting ever become obsolete?

Apr 26, 2017 | Literacy and Numeracy, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

You may have heard the news. Apparently handwriting is soon to become obsolete.

However, for those of us who are dedicated to the idea of writing being indispensable, comfort can be taken in the fact that the death of writing (and reading) was discussed as early as 1987 and then promptly rejected by commentators.

What is Game-based learning (GBL)?

Dec 22, 2016 | Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

Make no mistake – the game-based learning (GBL) market is doing a roaring trade. Global revenues hit $2.6 billion this year, reports the Serious Play Conference, and are expected to reach a mind-boggling $7.3 billion by 2021. Key consumers are today’s schoolchildren; the first true generation of digital natives.

Do you know your GBL from your gamification, and how to get up to speed with the latest developments?

Could Online Learning Ever Replace Schools?

Dec 1, 2016 | Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

Recently, legislation was put forward in New Zealand that allows for school-ages children to take part in online learning courses, potentially reducing (or even eliminating) the amount of time spent in a physical school environment.

Since the motion was put forward, there has been heavy debate about whether or not this will benefit children, or damage their education.

Technology and how it can test knowledge and understanding

May 4, 2015 | Technology, ICT, Teaching | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

Technology in 2015 offers a number of ways to be a motivational teaching aid. It’s a very flexible and customisable tool and can provide incredibly varied ways to expand learning experiences.

The testing of knowledge and understanding of what has taken place in a lesson can be achieved through a good mix of written and verbal feedback, question and answer sessions, written or verbal tests or self-reflective activities and projects such as diaries. Technology adds another layer to be able to assess the levels of understanding and can provide very personalised results.

Textbooks in the classroom

Apr 13, 2015 | Teaching, Curriculum, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

With the rise of the use of technology in the classroom – in particular handheld devices such as tablets – there are questions being increasingly raised as to the future of the printed textbook and whether it has a place in the classroom now or in the near future.

Textbooks have been the mainstay of teaching for over a hundred years and give structure to teaching sessions and markers for pupil progress and achievement.

Staying up to Date with Technology; both as a Teacher and by Integrating into Classroom Time

Mar 4, 2015 | Technology, Teaching | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

It’s only a generation since classes used blackboards and the IT room was only really utilised by the IT teacher. The world of tablets, laptops, smartphones and whiteboards were future ideas in the minds of the technology world and certainly weren’t seen to be a definitive tool to be used on a daily basis within schools outside the computer room.

Technology now is everywhere; tablets for all pupils, the use of sites such as Facebook for social learning and text books replaced by interactive learning software. For teachers who have limited knowledge of current technology, it can be daunting to be presented with new hardware to use or be expected to teach a class skills barely understood themselves.

Social Learning

Feb 10, 2015 | Teaching, Life Skills, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

Social learning is a big trend within education. For any students using Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook as part of projects and research work, they are already participating in this area of teaching.

Many teachers may be unaware of the underpinning basics of what social learning is and how it can best be utilised in lesson time.

Identifying and understanding cyber bullying

Jan 26, 2015 | Bullying, Teaching, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

It’s a sad fact that bullying has always been a part of school life. Schools work hard to identify and address the issue in partnership with parents and organisations which specialise in eradicating bullying, but the magic bullet of how to make bullying disappear is yet to be found.

The way bullying takes place has also changed. Whilst it still happens in physical confrontations, there’s now the growing issue of cyber bullying through online and mobile phone interaction.

5 Simple Strategies…to Reduce Cyber Bullying in the Classroom

Jan 22, 2015 | Bullying, Behaviour, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

Cyber bullying is a very real part of school life and sadly one that is on the rise.

With growing numbers reporting that they have been subjected to some kind of pain through the actions of a cyber bully, often with the added stress that they have no idea of who is carrying out the harassment due to the ease of remaining anonymous when making threats or defamatory comments, the school has a pivotal role to play in reducing this terrible form of treatment towards peers.

The use of tablets in schools

Jan 14, 2015 | Participation, ICT, Life Skills, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

The use of tablets in schools is currently at its highest ever level, with no sign of a downturn.

Technology charity Tablets for Schools has recently released the results of a study examining the use of the hardware in both primary and secondary sectors. The figures show that of the 671 schools sampled, tablets are in use to some degree in 68% of primary schools and 69% of secondary schools.

The future of maths in schools – are computers the way forward?

Jan 9, 2015 | Maths, Curriculum, Literacy and Numeracy, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 3 minutes

The traditionally taught methods of maths are being challenged by those who feel that the future of the subject should be less about the mechanics of maths and more about the concept of the subject and the practical uses. There are calls for maths to become more about everyday use than currently taught and less and less about the theory behind how the maths works.

In essence, the thoughts are that learning about what algebra is should be replaced completely in the future with how it’s used in everyday scenarios.

Safer Internet Day 2014

Feb 11, 2014 | Technology, ICT, Life Skills | 0 |

Reading time: 4 minutes

Safer Internet Day 2014 is the perfect time to plan your approach to making the internet a safer place for your pupils. Adults and young people alike are exposed to countless threats on a daily basis whilst surfing the net. By identifying these threats and devising methods to combat them, we can start making the internet safer for young people.

Safer Internet Day is a great initiative for raising the awareness necessary to protect young people from the dangers encountered online. The day serves to “promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.” (Insafe, 2014).

Computing Curriculum 2014 – Digital Technology in the Classroom

Jan 23, 2014 | ICT, Technology | 0 |

Reading time: 2 minutes

Digital Technology and its place in the classroom has been a hot topic in education over the last few months. From September, when the new coding curriculum will come into effect, England will be the first country in the world to make this mandatory in both primary and secondary education (The Telegraph, December 2013). One country that embraced digital technology before many other countries is Estonia, where children are already taught programming, robotics and generating QR codes for their smartphones (BBC, 2014).

Pin It on Pinterest