Technology teaching aids

Ulf Greiner, Product Line Manager Business Projectors, Marketing, Product & Solution Management, NEC Display Solutions Europe discusses the ways in which technology can benefit education.

What emerging teaching trends have been enabled by modern technology?
The key trend we are experiencing is the transition from whiteboard interaction to collaboration for full student participation. There are more cloud based solutions and on-line based learning scenarios empowering students to increase their engagement with greater and wider access to learning materials. Schools are acknowledging students’ social networking activities and enabling them to utilise their own smart devices for learning as well as socialising through more Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. This trend is aided by, and in many ways driven by, the increase in tablet technology which enables greater flexibility, intuitive operation and ability to access anywhere, anytime.

How has this technology made the teacher’s task easier or more efficient?
It can be said that this new technology has not necessarily made the teacher’s task easier or more efficient. Rather, new technology has made the learning process easier and more efficient. The teacher’s task is simply different, requiring new skills and a revised approach in order to get the best result from the new technology available which is not necessarily easier. What has improved is the efficiency of communication, also students are generally more engaged and willing to participate when using the technology they are familiar with. Teachers can encourage students to research in their own time, accessing information via the internet in preparation for group sessions which can be more productively spent in discussion. Through more efficient and productive working practices, teachers can stimulate further and deeper learning from their students.

How has the approach to teaching changed with the introduction of new technology?
It is important that the technology is used to improve the teaching and learning process, not used just for the sake of it. Teachers need to take the time to consider best practice and implement it in such a way as to complement and enhance their teaching methods. Technology can shape more productive use of time, and encourage greater participation. Teachers can respond to students’ differing learning needs to ensure full inclusion by utilising a wider variety of teaching techniques and can embrace students less formal learning needs by enabling out of hours access to teaching material.

Many universities are creating informal collaborative working areas, based around tables which will seat a handful of students with a large format display and wireless connectivity to link to tablet devices. Universities separate students into smaller groups of mixed ability to work together and pass as a team. Brighter pupils will assist the less able and the group achieves and succeeds together.

Internet and cloud based resources have led to an increase in the sharing of teaching resources, again improving efficiently and best practice. Social media is not just for students: there are dedicated social media networks for teachers to exchange ideas and materials.

What equipment is being installed in schools, colleges and universities that is not directly related to teaching?
More and more universities are embracing digital signage in a big way. This is vastly improving communication for wayfinding and useful information such as car parking issues, timetable changes, event information etc which can help students and staff be more productive and reduce costs associated with printed media. Signage is also widely used for art installations and also for posting twitter feeds. Improved communication is a big motivator in the investment in digital signage, however universities are simultaneously promoting themselves as forward thinking technology-embracing institutions in order to attract fee paying students with an alluring student experience.

Universities are well placed to sell advertising to recoup the investment in digital signage. NEC’s Vukunet ad serving platform is the perfect tool to help owners of screen assets to offer advertising airtime to local business such as pizza companies and taxi firms who might wish to target the student market.

How similar is the technology used in schools to that used in business applications?
Collaborative learning in education is matched by the increased use of collaborative meeting technology in business, again driven by the increased use of tablet technology. Teaching in the classroom is the same as training in the workplace; imparting knowledge is the same in any environment and technology resources are an equally useful aid. Group learning in the university environment is a good thing for industry as many brighter students, who might generally opt to work on their own, are forced to engage with their peers, improving their social skills and turning them into team players: a crucial skill in today’s workplace.

Useful links

NEC Displays – Education Portfolio

Published on: 19/11/2014