Imagine a classroom where learning is a thrilling quest, where students' eyes shine with awe instead of clouding over with boredom. It's not the fantasy of an educator - its a potential waiting to be realized with the right tools for education! In today's high-tech, computer-based world, classrooms are evolving from dry lecture halls to vibrant hubs of discovery and creativity.
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Today's classroom needs more than textbooks and worksheets to engage young minds. With dwindling attention spans and changing technologies, teachers must transform how they teach to make the lesson unforgettable.
Look at these fantastic learning devices that transform any classroom into a learning lab!
Online Learning Platforms That Make Learning Fun
The digital revolution has brought a lot of resources within the reach of teachers. Such websites merge learning and entertainment, so learning becomes enjoyable and not laborious.
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats
Interactive learning systems instill that fire within the students and get them excited to learn through gamification and personalized learning paths.
Some top digital learning platforms include:
Platform |
Best For |
Special Features |
Kahoot! |
Urgent reviews and assessments |
Competitive point quiz games and music |
Nearpod |
Interactive classes |
Virtual field trips and group activities |
Edpuzzle |
Video learning |
Interactive video tutorials with in-place questions |
Padlet |
Collaborative work |
Computer bulletin boards for exchange of ideas |
At 98thPercentile, math and coding lessons utilize the same interactive platforms that spark kids' interest and hone their critical thinking. Gamified learning from challenging tasks transforms hard into easy and fun!
Mobile Apps for Classroom Engagement
Mobile learning apps have revolutionized how teachers present content in class.
These portable learning dynamos offer everything from virtual science labs to interactive timelines for history, so learning can be accomplished anywhere.
Did you know?
- Students learn up to 75% more content when learning through gamified apps compared to learning traditionally!
- Some of the best learning apps are Duolingo for learning a language, GeoGebra for graphing mathematics, and Quizlet for personalized study guides.
Hands-On Learning Tools for Tactile Learners
Not all educational tools are digital. Many students, especially younger ones, benefit tremendously from physical objects they can touch, manipulate, and explore.
Manipulatives and Building Sets
Manipulatives like counting blocks, pattern tiles, and shapes help students understand abstract concepts using concrete objects.
LEGO Education sets as well as magnetic blocks are unique due to their versatility in the learning process of anything from basic shapes to advanced engineering concepts.
Parent Tip: Create a small inventory of family learning items in the house that mirror what is being done in school. Keeping home and school learning environments consistent helps to reinforce concepts.
Science Kits and Experiment Boxes
Nothing excites children's imaginations more than observing a chemical reaction or building a working circuit. Science kits bring textbook concepts to life with safe, experimental, hands-on learning.
In 98thPercentile, our science curriculum consists of virtual labs and guided experiments in which students can observe scientific principles in action and experience the same thrill of discovery and wonder.
Creative Expression Tools
Creative expression enhances emotional intelligence and cognitive growth. Such materials allow students to express ideas and demonstrate learning in new and creative ways.
Visual arts materials, musical instruments, and narrative tools like puppet theatres all offer alternative ways for students to structure and display information.
Digital Creation Tools
Computer-based creation software such as Canva for graphics, Storybird for writing, and GarageBand for music enable students to produce professionally formatted projects that reflect their learning.
Did You Know?
- Children who are taught using learning games are 23% more problem-solvers compared to conventional teaching.
- Classrooms that incorporate movement-based learning tools have a 40% higher rate of retention.
- 90% of teachers report increased student engagement through interactive learning technology.
Choosing the Appropriate Materials for Your Classroom
The ideal classroom is not necessarily the one with the most technology, but the one with the right technology for your students. Consider thinking in terms of using age appropriateness, curriculum alignment, and usability when selecting instructional tools.
At 98thPercentile, our experienced instructors carefully select age-appropriate digital and abstract tools to enhance our math, coding, English, and science curriculum. We seek tools that not only build knowledge, but critical thinking, creativity, and confidence as well.
Educational technology is changing fast, bringing with it exhilarating new opportunities for the classroom of the future. By adopting these innovations while retaining good pedagogical practice, teachers can design learning spaces in which learning becomes less of a chore and more of an enchantment.
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FAQs
Q1: How can I tell what teaching aids work best for the learning style of my child?Ans: Observe how your child learns naturally. Does he or she learn best with visual aids, hands-on, or on the computer? The tools that are compatible with their natural learning style will generally work best.
Q2: Are computer learning aids appropriate for toddlers?Ans: With moderation and appropriate use, excellent computer software can be beneficial to even young children. Look for choices appropriate for their age with minimal screen time and plenty of interactive features.
Q3: How do parents reinforce classroom learning materials at home?Ans: Ask your child's teacher what equipment is being used in the classroom and ask for home copies where available. Family accounts on most teaching websites are available, and low-cost items such as building blocks or art materials can aid in-class learning.
Q4: How is the right balance between electronic and traditional learning materials ensured?Ans: The optimal balance depends on goals and age. A good balance is to use the computer to do what it does best (instant feedback, personalization) and reserve hands-on activities for sensory development and concreteness of knowledge.
Q5: How do I know if an educational product is doing my child some good?Ans: Look beyond participation to actual learning gains. Can your child apply what he or she learned through the tool to new contexts? Is he or she showing increased understanding of material? These are indications that the tool is effective.