Back to School: The Rise of Digital Learning Technologies in the Post-Covid Classroom
While schools across the country have been experiencing a growing shift towards technology in the classroom for a while now, the sudden onset of Covid-19 has rapidly accelerated this hi-tech adoption. Although schools saw major disruptions through the 2020-2021 academic year, students, teachers and parents may be more equipped to handle these challenges as schools open their doors for the 2021-2022 school year. While schools are by no means expected to have solid solutions to these unexpected challenges one year post-Covid, they are going into this upcoming school year with robust safety practice and distance learning strategies that did not exist at the start of the pandemic.
Due to the sudden need for virtual learning capabilities, the adoption of 1-to-1 policies granting every middle and high school student access to a digital device has soared across the country, with some schools even expanding the policy to include elementary-level students. The reliance on digital devices opens up a whole new realm of educational opportunities for today’s students who now have access to the entire internet 24/7, no longer having to rely on limited library or classroom resources for information.
This advent of endless information is changing the way teachers construct their curriculum. While the use of technology was becoming increasingly more important in the classroom during pre-Covid years, many teachers still relied on traditional pen and paper methods for submitting assignments. After over a year of teaching during the pandemic, teachers are starting to jump fully into the digital realm in order to keep kids engaged in their learning.
The use of an almost exclusively online curriculum allows teachers to provide additional options for students with learning disabilities, alternative learning styles, and even accelerated learners. As virtual assignments allow for greater flexibility for self-guided instruction, students can move through assignments at their own pace rather than be tied to a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
While virtual learning is here to stay, in-person learning is also occurring again, this time with a greater emphasis on digital learning tools and safety measures to facilitate the new shift towards primarily digital classroom environments. Students and teachers are being provided with laptop computers, but having the right tools and technology to enhance distance learning while improving overall safety is key to a successful transition going forward. As schools move towards a more digital environment, Communication Company offers the tools necessary to achieve this goal. We create, develop and support a broad portfolio of classroom technology designed to facilitate collaborative learning and proudly offer both Promethean and Sharp-Aquos Solutions for K12 and Higher Education.
Communication Company offers the following digital technology solutions for the classroom:
ActivPanel: The award-winning ActivPanel, powered by a revolutionary, upgradeable Android™-based Mini PC, is the intelligently-designed, connected hub of the modern classroom.
ActivWall 102″ & 135″: The ActivWall is a widescreen interactive learning system where teachers and students can collaborate, connect, and share ideas.
Telecenter U® by Rauland: From the district office to each and every classroom, educational facilities benefit from Rauland's network-based school communication systems for Emergencies, Event Management and Everyday Communications, delivered by Telecenter U®.
Sharp AQUOS BOARD Interactive Display Systems: The SHARP Display Connect software enables multifaceted wireless communication in the classroom and features highly-responsive touch pens that allow several people to write on the same touch screen at the same time.
For more information on digital learning technologies, contact Jordan Moss at JMoss@communication-co.com or phone 574.299.0020.