Technology Trends in 2018-2019

Over the several years that I have taught, the needs of students in regards to learning have not changed very much, but with the advancement of technology, the way those needs are addressed has drastically changed. As teachers, we need to know what the emerging trends are in technology so that we can use those technological advancements to empower and equip our students. Technology has broadened the scope of how students are exposed to information, and also allows them to access information based on their preferences and needs. Not only can students have access to technology and information at school, but they can access that information from practically anywhere. With apps and information stored in clouds, students can begin working on a project in one place and time and them complete it in another place and time. Technology even allows collaboration in real time between students and educators. Other app features allow for talk to text and voice commands which can make writing and note-taking easier. Another trend in technology involves the use of virtual and augmented reality. With this technology, students can become immersed in learning experiences that they would otherwise not have access to. Something else that students recently did not have access to is 3-D printing. They can now unleash their creativity and turn their ideas into something tangible. For teachers, this technology that is available for our students makes teaching much more exciting and engaging, but the technology is not only for students. The technology that we use to collect, analyze, and drive data can help us make better decisions concerning our students.