The days of homework assignments written on chalkboards and paper essays are fading away. Not because those methods are no longer useful, but simply because technology has transformed the K-12 classroom. From how parents communicate via email or text applications, to how teachers prefer to grade dozens of homework assignments, to even how students expect their instructor to utilize technology in the classroom, there is no escaping the fact that technology has entered, shaped and altered the classroom in more ways than one.
The Stanford Reports indicate that new advances in technology are upending education, from the recent debut of new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT to the growing accessibility of virtual-reality tools that expand the boundaries of the classroom. For educators, at the heart of it all is the hope that every learner gets an equal chance to develop the skills they need to succeed. But that promise is not without its pitfalls, especially if the instructor has no idea where to start.
Lucky for you, that’s where we come in.
At ACU Online, our mission is to make teachers leaders in instruction, design, and development in all aspects of the classroom. Via our Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Instruction and Learning, teachers can become students as they learn how to promote safe and productive instruction while improving their professional craft and leadership through their faith-based vocational calling. Plus, with a special concentration in Learning With Emerging Technologies, you will gain a deep understanding of all aspects of technology-enhanced learning environments as well as how to incorporate them into your course designs and understand the benefits of technology for your students.
Interested in learning how an M.Ed. in Instruction and Learning can launch your classroom into the next dimension? Here are a few trends and tidbits on how our program matches the demands in K-12 education.
Technology Enhances Classroom Engagement
Using technology can make learning more enjoyable, which means more time dedicated to moving through a lesson plan or activity. In fact, recent research has discovered that technology not only makes learning more fun and engaging for students but also encourages them to invest more effort in their studies as time goes on. From subjects like mathematics or hard sciences, students seem to be more engaged and excited to learn when technological lessons and activities are incorporated. Things like using a tablet, virtual classroom or even games have been found to help students learn complex concepts more enjoyably, and sometimes more proficiently. In classes like Leading Evolving Digital Learning Systems and Reframing Learning, you will learn how to establish frameworks for teaching to focus more on the learning than on the school culture or outside influences. Plus, these courses help you even further by preparing you with the skills needed to address the challenges and trends associated with implementing emerging technology practices and strategies within a learning environment. While technology enhances learning, that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some difficulties. That’s why these courses are designed to help you figure out how to use the technology at your disposal while simultaneously learning how to change the mentality of your parents or colleagues about the benefits of technology in the classroom.
Technology Prepares Students for the Digital World
Integrating and using technology in the classroom prepares students for the digital future. From learning how to address someone in an email to adapting good digital citizenship skills, it has become essential to master 21st-century tools to be successful in this day and age. In many ways, education goes beyond memorizing facts and vocabulary words and instead is meant to help you solve complex problems while being able to collaborate with others. Via courses like Meeting the Learning Challenge and Creating Effective Learning Environments, you will explore current research-based practices and theories to further promote meaningful learning experiences for every student. With a strong emphasis on preparing students for the workforce and digital world, these courses can help you learn the significant importance of enabling and fostering students to use digital tools for their lifelong learning journey. This approach ensures that students are equipped with the skills necessary to face the challenges ahead of them, including navigating their way through college and their future careers.
Technology Boosts Collaboration Among Students
Students need to learn how to collaborate both in person and online. And while there are many educational platforms available, like Google Classroom and Flip, instructors should learn how to encourage collaboration via these applications to promote positive learning environments and classroom instruction. Through classes like Leading Continuous Improvement of Digital Learning and Instructional Design and Technology, you will examine the attributes of effective Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments as well as ensure their appropriate and relevant design, development and integration for your classroom. By exploring the key strategies, factors and theories of instructional design processes, you will also learn how to construct technologically-based learning systems that help students become lifelong learners and great communicators among their peers, teachers and parents.
Overall, technology occupies an important role in every student’s daily life. By integrating technology, teachers, like you, can change the way your students feel about attending school, and their attitudes about learning. Via the M.Ed. In Instruction and Learning, you will gain a deeper understanding of how technology can help you connect more with your students as well as help you remain up-to-date on the latest teaching trends and ideas in K-12 education.
If you are interested in learning more about how ACU Online’s M.Ed. the Instruction and Learning degree can help you enter into the next stage of teaching and development for the 21st century, visit our website today.