Successful learning requires effective communication. Yet, a lot of learners fail when it comes to sharing their minds with teachers. This can hinder their academic progress since the gap could be caused by shyness, language barrier, or lack of opportunity. The good news is that technology has come up with ways of filling these gaps and enhancing student-teacher relationships.
Just think about being in that situation where you have had a burning question but never asked because you were afraid of what people might think about it. We have all experienced that at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, the way classrooms are set up can make students scared to share their ideas with others; this happens when teachers stand at the front while students sit in rows facing them. Students become afraid of speaking out lest they get judged by classmates who may think they’re dumb or annoy teachers further instead of gaining knowledge from these experiences. In such cases one’s mind remains puzzled for lack of clarification.
On another note, educators sincerely desire that each student understands what is being taught. However, since there is limited time for lessons and a number of students per class, it becomes hard for them to know whether everyone understands or not.
This absence of an open conversation is bad for the learning process on both sides of the classroom. But new education technology tools have made it easier than ever for students and teachers to communicate well. Here are some great examples:
Chatbots tutors
Imagine having a digital tutor all to yourself. You can ask this tutor any question you can think of, without fear of being judged. These chatbots use artificial intelligence to act as virtual teaching assistants to which students can talk. When they have a conversation with their tutors, they get rapid feedback on what they know and where they went wrong. They also gain support in clearing up any misconceptions or confusion quickly.
Anonymous feedback tools
Sometimes, students need to be able to say what’s wrong privately, particularly when it comes to sensitive subjects or specific teachers. E-comment boxes, chat channels, and discussion forums allow students to give honest feedback without giving their names. This lets educators see where there are problems and change how they teach accordingly. It also means that teachers can learn about things from the student's perspective, which is invaluable for them sometimes.
In-video learning aids
Did you ever find yourself zoned out during a lecture on video, only to wake up and realize you missed an important concept? This has been changed by putting learning aids directly into video lessons. Students can mark moments they found confusing and drop a timestamped comment or question. The next student who watches sees those flagged spots and can reply to them.
Multimedia assignments
There’s no doubt about the importance of writing, but some students communicate their understanding better through visuals, audio, videos, and other interactive mediums. Letting assignments come in different formats gives kids the creative freedom to show what they know in the way that works best for them.
Getting all these tools separately can be very costly for schools and difficult to manage. However some companies who custom build enrollment software for schools may provide an all-in-one solution. This way, students, as well as teachers, can log onto personalized dashboards where schedules, assignments, grades, and discussion forums are visible at once.
At first, all this new technology can feel like a lot for teachers who aren't used to it. That's why schools need to help with training and implementation. First, get support from everyone involved - principals, teachers' unions, students themselves (and even their parents). Explain why the school is changing its tech systems as well as what benefits are expected to come from doing so. Find people who know about these things already so they can show others how everything works step by step if necessary. But don't forget that failures happen along the way.
Summary
Today, students want to be connected while studying. Educators can fill in the missing link and create a classroom community through communication technologies that they integrate with care. This should be an inclusive discussion board where all learners feel valued, motivated, and supported towards their success.
Therefore, do not fear trying out new ways of interaction between teachers and students. Utilization of educational technology opens up incredible chances for boosting. Understanding among learners which ultimately leads to excellent performance in academics.