The integration of digital technology in schools to support teaching and learning is becoming increasingly common. During the pandemic, teachers were able to use it to teach hundreds of thousands of students in their homes. And even if this technology will never replace teachers or members of the school team, it simplifies and facilitates some of their daily tasks. See how in this article.
What is the technology that helps students and teachers?
When we talk about educational technology, also called Edtech, we are referring to digital platforms (mobile apps) or to websites that offer classroom management tools and all sorts of educational content. This content can be viewed on cell phones, tablets or computers, both at school and at home (for homework and study purposes) Examples include:
- Digital or audio books;
- Interactive activities and tools;
- Video tutorials;
- Immersive educational games (which unlock levels like in video games);
- Virtual reality science labs;
- 3D animation;
- Etc.
Examples of classroom management tools include:
- Amusing behaviour management systems that involve every student;
- Tools that offer themes for group discussion;
- A random student selection tool;
- Digital portfolios for each student;
- Tools for setting daily tasks and an events calendar;
- Tool to communicate with parents (news, homework, etc.);
- Etc.
Educational digital platforms can be used as part of the school curriculum or as a supplement to the program, during a workshop/special activity. They can be offered by companies, institutions, organizations or by the government.
What is the added value of these digital resources?
According to a study of the Quebec educational technology sector (source) conducted in September 2021, the use of digital technology in class and at home can help address specific issues observed in the educational system. Digital technology is useful to:
- Mitigate learning difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic;
- Help students succeed in school by encouraging their engagement;
- Analyse learning more accurately and identify students at risk of failure;
- Promote personalized learning according to each student’s needs;
- Help to deal with the scarcity of teachers;
- Reduce school dropout rates.
Integrating technology
More and more, schools (and governments) are investing in the integration of digital technology in class, in order to facilitate teaching and learning. During the MTL Connecte 2021 event which brought together educational technology experts, Julie Pigeon, Executive Director of the Association des Entreprises pour le développement des technologies éducatives au Québec (Edteq), discussed the challenges of integrating technology in schools.
“We are moving towards an increasingly digital world,” explained Ms. Pigeon, “so students must be able to use this technology to learn. What’s more, it sparks their interest, motivates them and encourages their active participation.”
“Teachers must also be informed about the major advantages that this technology can bring in terms of learning and teaching. They also need training to be able to integrate these tools into their teaching.”
Digital platform Vireo
The Vireo hydroponic garden in school is educational and enables students to learn, in small groups, how to grow vegetables, herbs and fruit plants. The workshop, which takes place throughout the year, includes a digital platform suited to the needs of schools.
Featuring a wide range of stimulating educational content as well as interactive activities, the Vireo digital platform is equipped with intuitive features to facilitate teaching and ease of use for students of all ages.
Students can dynamically learn at their own pace, in teams or individually, about various subjects:
- Hydroponics
- Biology
- The environment
- Entrepreneurship
- Ecology
- Health and nutrition
- And much more!
This educational content enables students to interact and satisfy their curiosity autonomously. The content library and the activities integrated into the digital platform are accessible to the whole school.
Contact us for more information
If you have questions or would like to learn more about this educational project that allows students to experience learning in a hands-on way, we invite you to visit our website and try our educational digital platform for free, in order to experience this user-friendly, intuitive interface for support, coordination and teaching.