The students of today are growing up surrounded by technology. They use it every day, in the form of their phones, laptops, computers, Smart TVs, and more, so it only makes sense that technology should become a core part of the classroom. 

Using technology to empower students should seem like a given since technology is one thing they are more adept at using. Most students have navigated their entire lives with technology and find some comfort in its use. 

We’re going to look at some of the ways that you can empower your students with technology. Here they are:

Sharing the Learning Experience

When the teacher is the only person reading their students’ work, they have the power of their voices silenced. Students should share with their peers, their families, their school communities, and even around the world. 

Try to provide your students with opportunities to showcase their authentic learning and let real audiences hear their voices. Most students already share parts of their lives on social media regularly, so you can intelligently and responsibly encourage their drive to share their learning. 

This could be done with a small, online classroom. If you’re using a platform like Pedagogue, which offers message boards, blogs, and virtual classroom tools, then you can provide your students with a safe place to share their work and learning experiences. 

This kind of small, class-wide collaboration can evolve toward sharing with digital portfolios or on social media. 

Student Input

Asking your students for their input in creating goals for learning and assessments, so that they may help choose how to show what they know and what they can do, can empower your students as well. You should encourage your students to make informed decisions regarding the technology they use to improve their education. 

This means providing your learners with the choice of their tools and asking them to assist in the design of the rubrics or tasks and make connections to standards as well. 

Reflecting On Choices

Choices become more impactful when we understand why they are made. If you ask your students to make decisions regarding their learning, it is essential to have them reflect on these choices, to encourage authentic intellectual engagement. 

Whether it is a Google Form self-evaluation, a half-minute video reflection, peer assessment, or several other strategies, having your students reflect on their choices helps them process their own understanding and learning and provides you, the educator, with valuable data to understand it as well. 

It helps your students create their own forms of reflection, letting them assume the teacher’s role to design reflective questions for themselves. 

Concluding Thoughts

Students’ empowerment through technology should be obvious, as today’s students live their lives surrounded by it. Tech can do many things in the classroom, but one of its most important functions is putting the power of learning in the learners’ hands.