Reimagining the classrooms of the future

Over the last 18 months, students, parents, and teachers have all had to adapt to remote learning – usually at a moment’s notice. Recent lockdowns across half of Australia demonstrate that remote learning isn’t going anywhere, and it’s critical that educators embrace technology and what the classrooms of the future will look like.

Today, remote learning continues to be integrated into the physical classroom. By maintaining students’ ability to learn remotely and benefit from technological advancements in teaching, educators will be able to enhance the learning experience for all.

While we can’t ignore the benefits of in-person education, the reality is that many students are thriving in remote learning situations where they can work at their own pace, better digest information and learn free from the distractions of a traditional classroom. Physical classrooms favour outgoing students and those who understand materials straight away. More introverted students and those who struggle with the content may not offer contributions in class, which can be detrimental to their learning.

Modern technology can address this barrier; the use of tools like anonymous, virtual multiple-choice polls can give teachers a better understanding of how students are progressing and their understanding of the material. In 2020, teachers noted that students who don’t enjoy taking risks, or are under-confident, were more likely to contribute to class or seek out one-on-one support with digital tools; students who need more explicit instructions also benefit from typed messages.

Both in the physical and virtual classrooms, maintaining student engagement is a challenge. It’s important that educators are using digital tools and ideas to enhance this engagement, such as introducing elements of online gaming like showcasing results, clear progression and rewards. In particular, reward elements like badges for students who foster classroom discussion or answer a certain number of questions encourages students to contribute to the classroom and build their knowledge.

Keeping education devices connected
Without reliable wireless networks capable of supporting the growing number of devices, students can’t access new, rich learning materials. By leveraging managed services, educators can finally facilitate a digital transformation strategy in the classroom by providing students access to the latest connected education solutions.

The burden doesn’t have to be on schools to modernise on their own. It’s important that education providers are looking at how they can engage technology partners to support their growth and modernisation. With the right partner, education institutes will be able to provide the best possible experience for students and continue to meet the needs of students whether they are on-campus, remote learning, or a mix of the two.

The last year has seen massive changes in the education sector – and a lot of them created great benefits for both teachers and students. As our lives become increasingly digital, schools shouldn’t be afraid of the challenges and changes that come with adapting to new technology. Instead, it’s important to embrace the change and recognise the benefits that new digital tools and technologies have brought to the classroom.