Technology plays varying roles in a child’s development, depending on his or her age. While toddlers and younger students benefit from motor skills such as hand-to-eye coordination or language learning, older students gain problem solving abilities and even absorb entrepreneurial habits.
As an increasing number of schools are realizing the benefits of introducing technology in the classroom, the new breed of students is predicted to be happier, well-rounded and job-ready.
This will be owing to the following 5 advantages that technology lends to those children that it touches!
1. Inspiring creativity
Creative development is not only about arts and games. It helps students to implement their ideas, go beyond the obvious and develop individual thought processes. The skill to create something from nothing is the basis of all innovation. Encouraging or inspiring this ability can help children flourish and bloom.
Technology tools that assist creative development include Google Auto Draw, Stop Motion Studio, Magic Wall and Digital Art Software and 3D Printing.
2. Encouraging communication and social skills
New age children prefer to interact with one another in ways that differ to traditional meets and greets. They like to bond over video games, common interest chat groups, robotic toys and social media.
When exposed to technology at the right age, they develop an interest in finding solutions or figuring things out together in a group. This encourages teamwork and social interactions apart from being a good base towards designing their own tech tools, when older.
3. Developing basic competencies
Certain skills that are vital in the development of any child include motor development, hand to eye coordination, noticing details and developing reflexes. Technology tools such as video games, AR simulations, 3D modelling can be used at any age to impart age appropriate abilities to children.
Educational online games have been known to promote critical thinking, organisational skills and language development in young children.
4. Identifying talents
Technology is a wonderful way to pin-point young talent at an early age. Since it allows children to express their creativity and communicate better, teachers and parents are able to identify what they are good at.
Let children choose how they wish to express themselves – via colours, music, puzzles or stories. Make them work on projects together that involve clay modeling, designing, mechanics or 3D printing. Notice how students take on the individual tasks. A teacher’s goal should be to find out what students like and how best they would like to learn.
5. Making learning fun
Children who go to schools where technology is being used in the classroom, look forward to attending school and learning. Most technology tools for younger children are in the form of bright, colourful, animated forms with sounds or music to keep the young ones engaged.
This excites children so they welcome the idea of learning. A child who loves to learn is destined to achieve great things!