Today’s classrooms are outfitted with cutting-edge technology that makes teaching and learning a techie delight. Teachers use techy tools to traverse classrooms and make teaching and learning more productive. But how can a teacher use gadgets safely in the classroom?
Finding innovative methods to incorporate technology into the classroom can make your job as a teacher easier while also increasing student engagement and participation in sessions.
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There are no limits to how technology can be used in the classroom to provide an enriched learning environment, from facilitating communication between teachers and students to managing curricular calendars, to augmenting presentations and courses with video and visuals.
Finding the Best in Gadgets
Learning has been turned into a game. As learning incorporates digital content, teachers incorporate multimedia materials into the lessons.
All of this indicates that technology is being used in the classroom, and the popularity of tech gadgets has grown.
Gadgets have become our high-tech alternative for delivering great training to our kids.
However, the question is whether we are using technology ethically.
Day-to-day learning has been made interactive and productive because teachers and students are using techy gadgets in the classroom creatively.
Moreover, teachers are integrating technology in their classes to motivate students and to boost their interest and engagement in learning.
It is very evident that the use of gadgets in the classroom increases students’ performance. However, with the advances of technology, teachers should still not forget the best ways on how to keep the learning environment safe.
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This article shares practical ways on how can a teacher use gadgets safely in the classroom. As a teacher myself, I really find this very important to ensure that we are using technology in the classroom without endangering the students.
As a technology user, I should be aware of how to properly use my laptop, my tablet, smartphones, and many other tech learning tools in the classroom to ensure that my students are safe and sound.
Keep reading and get smart ideas for teachers on how to use gadgets safely in the classroom to maintain an enriching learning place.
How Can a Teacher Use Gadgets Safely In the Classroom? 8 Smart Ways
Observe the following practical and smart tips on how to use gadgets in the classroom with all safety.
1. Guide students in using gadgets as learning tools
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Using gadgets to enhance students learning should not hamper students’ real interests. If you are to allow your students to navigate, be sure that you are very close to them to monitor what they are doing. Closely supervise what they are clicking on.
The internet has a lot in store for everyone. Technology can take everyone by surprise, be it a kid or an adult. Therefore, you should be hawk-eyed when your students are using gadgets in the classroom for the purpose of enhancing their performance.
These kids are very curious about what they see. Although gadgets aren’t alien to them, kids nowadays are very attracted to these techy things and just get excited every time they have the chance to manipulate these things.
2. Use the original charging accessory for your device
Another issue is, what if you forget to bring the recommended cable or the original charging accessories? Yes, it can happen. Moreover, using non-certified power bricks can be dangerous. It can harm your device and to you as well.
Although most smartphones are safe to use simultaneously while charging, it’s still more comfortable if the techy device has full battery life. Typically, most gadgets, like cellphones and tablets, if used while charging, heat up excessively, which invites device damage and other hazards.
However, if the battery life of your device has been a problem and you are to provide smooth-flowing presentations, then you should use the original charging accessories to dock your gadgets.
If you are to use your device while charging, just be extra careful of power outlets and other surrounding hazards. It’s better to be warned than harmed. Conclusively, use certified high-quality charging accessories to keep everyone safe.
3. Double-check websites before sharing them with the class
I know that you are as excited as your students to use multimedia learning resources, but you should be careful in sharing internet websites with them. Anyway, if you plan your lessons very well, the link to the website is a product of in-depth research.
It isn’t good to share websites on the spot as you find them. You have to deal with it yourself first before you present it to the class. If your lesson plan entails your students watching a video presentation, you should have watched it the night before the day of the presentation.
Watch it first and check its relevance.
Ideally, if you are using your smartphone or tablet as a learning tool, you can browse for desirable or age-appropriate apps in advance. In particular, you can be more comfortable sharing relevant digital content and activities if you are confident of the applications you integrate with your lessons.
4. Never disclose your personal information
It’s a cool way to allow your students to navigate the presentations by clicking the answers or by pointing the cursor to the correct choice. However, it’s never right to have them open your account on the different online platforms you use. Although they are educational, you should not be sharing your personal information with anyone.
Nor should you allow your students to disclose their personal information if in case they are to share their outputs online. Like in our classroom where not all students have access to techy gadgets, they have to log in to their account using the computer in our classroom. I always tell them to log out of their personal accounts and turn off the computer properly after use.
Essentially, as online behavior control, I discuss with my students the consequences of disclosing personal information online. By educating them on the responsible use of technology and social media, I am protecting them from online scams and internet mishaps.
5. Do not use gadgets excessively
I’m a lover of gadgets because these devices make my lessons interesting, but I don’t use them too much!
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Learning in the classroom is made more interactive with the use of technology but it should be utilized in moderation. Excessive use of electronic devices in the classroom may result in too much dependence on automation and entertainment. Students need to get involved in an interactive discussion with their classmates and peers by sharing their own ideas and thoughts.
Overuse of gadgets can result in isolation which hampers students’ ability to socialize and to foster relationships in the classroom. It’s just spectacular when students have a real conversation with their fellows. On top of that, it can make students lazy because they will rely too much on what they click and not on their abilities.
Although social media has endless ways of getting people connected, it’s still a different story if your students do the think-share-pair or the focused-group discussion.
Moreover, excessive use of gadgets is harmful to one’s physical and mental health, according to health experts. Additionally, too much technology can have a negative impact on the student’s performance. It can cause technology overdose.
Too much of anything just isn’t good. Hence, don’t just overutilize gadgets in the classroom to sustain a productive learning environment.
6. Implement rules for the use of gadgets in the classroom
Will you allow your students to use their smartphones and tablets in class? Ideally, on what occasions and on what purpose? Great teachers don’t just say “Hey, you can use your smartphones anytime.” There’s no tone of concern about that.
Even though gadgets are to be used for class purposes, there should still be rules to follow. Remember that these techy devices can greatly influence our students’ behavior which can negatively impact students’ performance.
Then, you should strictly implement rules in the use of gadgets in your classroom to keep the students safe and to use technology effectively. You can post them on your bulletin boards and make them visible.
Moreover, you have to discuss the guidelines with your students so they will be more aware. An example is, ‘use gadgets only when necessary and allowed by the teacher’.
7. Know the gadget’s features
As you bring forth technology into the classroom, you should be knowledgeable of the components of those electronic devices. Being the facilitator of learning and manager of the classroom, you should know how to navigate them or adjust their settings. In other words, you should know how to use them.
For example, in projecting your video lessons effectively, you should know in great detail how to use the projector and how to connect it to your laptop. This is very basic but I know some teachers still have to ask for the assistance of the IT instructor in their school.
The utilization of gadgets in the classroom basically requires the expertise of their users. If not, the techy devices will be misused or can cause trouble or accidents.
8. Only visit websites that are safe and child-friendly
As you aim to increase learning and engage students, you become a great fan of the use of the internet and apps. This necessitates a clear set of rules for the classroom that govern good behavior and usage of technology.
Consider guidelines and a fine list of reliable and safe educational websites that encourage students to enjoy the privilege of using gadgets and Edtech tools without harm.
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Also, watch the video below to get insights about the responsible use of technology so we can avoid serious issues in the classroom.
Techy Concluding Thoughts
The use of electronic gadgets in the classroom gives students opportunities to explore and enjoy learning. However, for it to create a positive impact on student learning, teachers have to monitor its use in the classroom to ensure a safe learning environment.
Needless to say, the guided use of gadgets in the classroom can foster learning and can help students improve their academic performance. Obviously, many technological developments have made the delivery of education productive.
Is there anything left unsaid? How do you safely use gadgets in your classroom? Feel free to express your additional inputs in the comment section below.
