Classroom Technology Trends

Classroom Technology Trends

By: Bunmi Akintonde, PGY-1 Community Practice Resident

Safeway Pharmacy/University of Maryland

The traditional route of education of lecturer to student has changed greatly within the last two decades. With the new ideas of “online” learning, active learning, and gaming in the classroom settings worldwide, learning will never be the same. Today’s students are more digital savvy than ever before. With the rise of social media constantly fighting for an everyday learner’s attention, teachers have learned how to incorporate technology through their creation of lesson plans and homework exercises for their students.

An article written by a google associate, explores the different types of technological trends that can affect education immensely in this era. ³ The first is virtual reality. Google has already started to transform classrooms so that learners are able to learn complex problems in their own individual way. Imagine a pharmacy student being able to see how different antiarrhythmic medications they recommend are working on the heart in real time. ³

        The second is the 3-D printing phenomenon that is currently becoming more affordable for consumers. The idea of 3-D printing in education is giving opportunities for thinkers to think out of the box. An example of 3-D printing used in education is an engineering student being able to print a prototype or a chemistry student printing out models of molecules. Learners are able to transform from traditional thinkers to innovative ones, which may be a huge support for the IT generation. ³

        The third technology trend is the IoT (Internet of things) aka internet of objects approach. This technology trend supports the idea that the number of connected technologies will continue to grow exponentially in this era. The number of devices that will continue to connect to the internet will go from billions to trillions by the year 2020. ³This type of technology allows for objects in classrooms to interconnect through the data systems and subsequently connect to the learner. It essentially will make objects smart and be able to interact with the everyday learner.

        The fourth technology is the wearable technology that has been an innovation on increasing what a learner can wear. This type of technology is extremely useful in tracking the step of students in athletic classes or finding students’ locations while on a field trip through GPS. This type of learning can also promote interest in students. Recently, MIT held a workshop to girls in order to introduce them to the realm of mechanical and electrical engineering. ³

        The final technology is a technology powered by engineers, robotics. Robotics is already starting to serve a hands-on role in the classroom. This technology has sparked a lot of interest especially in the special education student is able to engage any learner. For example, a number of pharmacy schools are using a robot “Simman”. This simman is able to present with a range of medical conditions.  The simman provides students with a real-world example while making drug therapy recommendations in real time to a patient’s disease state. For students, it provides decision making and communication skills. This technology already used in a number of different professions continues to serve as an amazing gift to education. ²

        The speed in education and technology is phenomenal. It provides an educator with different integration techniques in engaging their students. It presents new ideas, but also presents challenges such as training teachers to incorporate the technology into lesson plans and the ability of schools to afford the technology. It is growing faster than an educator is to keep up. It is the responsibility of all educators to continue to research these trends and keep up on their development before finding themselves in an Iot classroom! ²

        My personal experience with technology has been great. I have actually experienced a virtual reality course while completing my masters at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. It is my most impactful and memorable learning experience to date.  My learning style has never supported the traditional style of education. For visual and innovative learners like myself, the creation of these new technologies in education will serve a great purpose. I am in high hopes that this change will occur in the next 10 years particularly in the science and engineering classrooms. The challenge remains as to get all educators on board to accepting and incorporating these technologies in their lesson plans.

 Citations

1)    CP Lim, Y Zhao, J Tondeur, CS Chai Bridging the Gap:Technology trends and use of technology in schools. Educational Technology …, 2013 - JSTOR

2)   Kim, M. C., Hannafin, M. J. and Bryan, L. A. (2007), Technology-enhanced inquiry tools in science education: An emerging pedagogical framework for classroom practice. Sci. Ed., 91: 1010–1030. doi:10.1002/sce.20219

3)   https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2015/12/5-tech-trends-could-supercharge-education-2016?amp

4)   Ning, H. and Hu, S. (2012), Technology classification, industry, and education for Future Internet of Things. Int. J. Commun. Syst., 25: 1230–1241. doi:10.1002/dac.2373