Besides the academic opportunities that edtech provides for learners, educators can better serve children and families, thanks to edtech. Here are some examples of how educators’ work has changed for the better:

Differentiated instruction: Thanks to the multimedia content available online, educators can mix conventional printed resources with videos, high-resolution photographs and artwork, podcasts, and music in their classrooms. A social studies lesson could have learners read research about a historical figure, and then listen to an audio-recorded interview of that person so they can hear their voice. Learners are now able to learn the skills and information they need with all of their senses.

Professional Development: Today’s educators are not limited to learning from their colleagues across the hall or town. Just as learners can learn from experts anywhere in the world, educators are also able to utilize digital communication apps – such as social media, to communicate with educators across the globe.

Education leadership and management: Edtech is increasingly being utilized to help educators get rid of the paperwork, which allows them to spend more time interacting with their learners. Educators can quickly input attendance, grades, and notes about learners.

Learner feedback: Recall all the comments in red pen on the margins of your assignments? Now educators can leave more detailed comments, voice recordings, and even video messages for their learners. These modes of feedback are personalized, and educators can provide them faster. Language educators, for example, can utilize voice feedback to help learners practice conversing in the language they are learning. Math educators can hold virtual office hours in the evening before a test as learners work through challenges and prepare. Edtech enables learners and educators to develop better relationships.

Learner engagement: Some edtech apps allow educators to build simulations and video games to help learners learn and practice new skills and content. Some educators are now using augmented reality and virtual reality to help learners experience things they would not otherwise have access to.

Communication with home: Educators can now send out group emails to parents with periodic updates about what the class is learning. Some educators have websites with more details about the curriculum, upcoming assignments, and even examples of student work. Thanks to these edtech apps, parents can know more about what their children are learning in school than ever before.

Can you think of any additional ways that edtech makes educators’ lives better? If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below.