KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With the ever-evolving use of technology, teachers are incorporating it more and more in their curriculum and in their classrooms. SMART boards, iPads and laptops are just some of the tools teachers and students are using both in the classrooms and at home for homework.
Vanessa Zamzow is a professor at Metropolitan Community College Maple Woods, who teaches educational technology.
"When you think back to your experiences in education, it looks so different than it does today," Zamzow said. "Technology really has a place in the classroom now and the course that I teach, educational technology, really focuses on working with future teachers and getting them comfortable with that technology and what that looks like in the classroom."
Zamzow teaches future educators about digital tools and resources, and how they work to meet students' needs.
Zamzow, who is also a high school math teacher at Park Hill South, said one of the biggest benefits is engagement.
"Our students are people who grew up using technology. I mean as soon as they could walk, they were utilizing technology as a source of learning, as a source of just getting information," Zamzow said. "So when we can take that component and then integrate that into the classroom, and use some of those same tools and work with them and enhance their learning experience and help them really take ownership over their learning — it's huge. It's a game changer."
Zamzow said it's important to get parents and the community on board with educational technology as well.
"If a parent doesn't understand tools that we're using or how things are working, you have a disconnect," Zamzow said. "So it is so important to definitely partner with the parents in that connection. "
She said at the high school where she teaches, there's a "remind account" that's set up for students and parents. They're able to receive information about current technology used in the classroom, upcoming tests, projects and stay informed that way.
To learn more about the technology your school is using, contact your district.
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