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Over the past ten years, there have been around 60% more international schools started around the world than ever before. Going to such an educational facility is a popular path for children to take these days, and schools in Coimbatore are some of the greatest around. So, what are some tips you can consider for finding the best of the best when it comes to schooling?

This article offers six of the most important things you need to consider when thinking about Coimbatore schools. This way you can think about what your child needs in their education and how an international school can supply it. As you consider each element, think about how they can help your child reach their future goals and if the school’s nature matches that need.

1. Think About the Best Location

When choosing a school in Coimbatore, you need to remember the location will have a huge impact on its quality. Coimbatore has a great many different neighborhoods, and finding the perfect one for you is not a simple task.

Think about if the location has good transportation links, a school bus, and can ensure the safety of its pupils on the journey to and from the school. By making the school accessible to its students, it can make sure everyone can attend while also taking a lot of stress off of both parents and children.

At the same time, think about your own needs. Consider where your own home and workplace sit compared to the school itself. Should you need to go to the school for any reason, can you get there in a timely manner?

2. Check If the Location Has Good Facilities

Coimbatore schools are often well-regarded when it comes to their facilities. Despite this, you should still investigate to see if it has all the basic necessities.

Classrooms. Ask about the classrooms and how well-equipped each one is. Ensure they have a good supply of textbooks and up-to-date equipment for teaching.

Sports Gym. See if the equipment is both up-to-date and in good repair. Even ask about the sports teams they promote and find out if they are well-regarded.

Libraries. Ensure their libraries have a wide array of different books on varying topics. Make sure this is true of both the fiction and non-fiction sections, to see that any library users find the facility fulfilling.

3. Check They Employ Qualified Teachers

Before you place your child in a Coimbatore school, enquire about if the teachers are well-trained. Ask if they involve themselves in teaching IGCSE qualifications.

If they do not, then your children may have trouble attaining the grades they need later in their schooling. It is important that children get the best opportunities possible at all times, and an IGCSE is one of the most significant steps to achieve this.

While you are checking the teachers, you should also ask about the student-teacher ratios in the classroom. You want to ensure the teachers have the capacity to give individual students enough time should they warrant it. If the class sizes are too large, the staff may have trouble with this.

4. Do Your Research

An international school will often have good links to many different institutions. Though, the best will not only focus on the immediate area but also locations across the world. Look into if the location has good relationships with a diverse range of educational facilities and makes use of them.

In a similar vein, see if they have accreditations or awards. For example, the SSVM World School in Coimbatore is a member of the Council of International Schools, a prestigious title. As a Cambridge International Education facility, you can also assume it receives notice from many groups across the globe.

5. Look For Informative Reviews

International schools make big waves. You want to know you are sending a child to one that is making the best kind of waves. So, you should talk to as many parents as possible to find out if their children are receiving a good education there.

By talking to other parents, you can learn more about what their own children do at school every day. You can also discover what the in-school student culture is like and whether it is a positive or negative environment for your child.

It is not only the parents you can ask, too. Consider discussing the state of the school with some of its students. After all, who else would know more about how well they consider their own education?

To find out more, go online and check out various places where reviews can appear. These might be on social media, via school review boards, or even on Google Reviews itself. Each one will promote a different kind of feedback, allowing you to make an informed decision about what to do next.

6. Consider Your Child’s Cultural Experiences

When you send your child to an international school, it is important they come out of it with an understanding of the diversity such a school brings. ICSE schools in Coimbatore combine both local cultural highlights with experiences from far and wide. This gives your child a grounded understanding of where they go to school but allows them to look to the horizon when it comes to their future.

This mindset should be true not only in their lessons but also in extracurricular activities. Try to find out if the school collaborates with others across the world in science, sports, or many other areas. See if it competes internationally, or has some form of ongoing link with foreign educators to normalize diversity.

The Best Schools in Coimbatore

The above are the most significant things you need to question when it comes to international schools in Coimbatore. Still, you could cut through all the red tape and send your child to learn with us. We have some of the best curriculums around, and a diverse community of over two thousand students to prove it.

So, to get your children into the location that can give them the best opportunities later in life, you need to get in contact with us. So, give us a call and learn more about what we offer today.

Are you trying to figure out where the best place to send your child is for school? With over 49 million students in the United States alone, this can be a hard decision to make sure that your child is getting the best education possible.

Not only that, but you want their learning environment to be unique and beneficial to their overall learning.

That is where learning what the best learning environment is and tips for finding it is so important. 

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know to ensure the educational success of your child! 

What Creates the Best Learning Environment?

Every child is different, so it can be difficult to answer this question exactly. However, there are key attributes for what makes a great learning environment for children more generically.

The Right Design

One of the most important aspects of a strong learning environment is having the right design. However, this is often an overlooked aspect of learning environments. 

But what does this even mean?

A great learning environment should support what we need as humans – especially when we are children.

We need natural light, break spots for when we’re overwhelmed or on overdrive, and enough room to move around and get our blood flowing. Setting up classrooms to support that (as well as then making time to actually take breaks and move around) is vital to learning.

A Pedagogy 

Every institution and school needs to have a particular learning model or pedagogy for how they teach and go about designing curriculum.

This means that some institutions may prioritize group and project-based learning while others may have a Montessori model. Some may do a mix of everything. 

Either way, there needs to be a clear pedagogy for the learning environment to be successful. 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Another very important need when it comes to a school environment and educational setting is to incorporate diversity and inclusion into it. The world is a melting pot, and the same needs to go for schools and school settings. This is what allows students to develop into their full selves, learn to work with everyone, and develop empathy and compassion for anyone despite their abilities, looks, and more.

What Are the Different Types of Educational Settings?

One of the first things that you have to know when you are looking into the best educational setting for your children is the differences between all of the options that you have.

From charter schools to private schools and everything in between, there are so many different options to choose from. We will dive into a bit more about each one and what they entail below.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an option that you may feel fits your child best. If your child doesn’t like to interact with others or likes to be in a home setting/familiar with their surroundings, this is a great option! 

It is always a great idea to introduce your child to clubs and extracurriculars at schools around the area if this is something you choose to do so that they can get the proper socialization for their age.

Private School

A private school runs entirely differently than public or charter schools.

A private school is not going to receive funding from governmental entities or taxes. Instead, the funding comes from tuition or donations.

Often, private schools are harder to get into and have an admissions process that can be difficult. It is often best to try to prepare for this by sending your child to a tutor for test prep!

Once in, your child will receive instructions that can be similar to those in public or charter schools but also different. Private schools have the ability to be flexible with how they design their curriculum and how they approach instruction as well.

With smaller class sizes, instruction can look very different at a private school.

While typically, these offer a better education, they are not for everyone and can also be quite costly.

Public School 

A public school is one that is governed by local, state, or federal authorities. That means that they set the rules and laws of the district. Every public school in the same county or area is going to act in the same way because they are working in accordance with the governing bodies that rule them.

Public schools also have public funding, which means that tax dollars are funding the schools. This is why public schools can vary drastically from one county to the next because it depends on so many factors of how much funding that school will get.

This also relates to how many supplies students get, the quality of their education, and more. The governmental body (whether local, state, or federal) is who is also in charge of determining what students will learn in each class. The educational approaches across public schools will largely be the same. 

If you want your child to go to a public school, you will likely need to live in a specific area, as most schools are decided based on zoning. 

Charter School 

A charter school is a bit different than what you may be familiar with if you are familiar with public schools.

A charter school is publicly funded but operates independently of governmental rules and regulations. That means that they can follow their own guidelines and regulations as a school that they set up amongst themselves.

Much like a public school, a charter school has public funding. However, they also can get other means of funding through grants or donations by others. This typically means that there are more opportunities at charter schools based on how much money is allocated to them, although that is not always the case.

To send your child to a charter school, you are going to most likely need to get your name into a lottery system as there are limited seats in the school. This type of school doesn’t go by zoning either.

Within the school, the charter networks have more flexibility with what they can teach and how their curriculum works. Of course, there is still going to be standardized testing, but how the curriculum is taught can differ from the public school system. 

Benefits of Having a Great School Environment

Choosing where your child goes to school is not easy – but that’s because you want them to thrive and learn as much as they possibly can! In reality, choosing where your child goes to school can affect the rest of their life. 

Because of that, let’s take a look at what the benefits of having a great school environment are!

Better Learning Opportunities from Higher Engagement 

One of the biggest benefits of sending your child somewhere where they have a great school environment is that they are going to learn and engage more with the content.

When they love what they are learning, as well as the environment in which they are learning every single day, they are more likely to engage. And with higher engagement comes more motivation and participation. In turn, they will learn more as well.

Fostering engagement in the classroom is one of the most important things you can do – so prioritizing this in the environment is a crucial aspect of your child’s learning success.

Higher Retention Rate

One of the better things about having a great school environment is that teacher retention is typically higher. The teachers are happier, which therefore means the kids are most likely going to be happier!

Having this positive work environment can drastically improve the way that teachers teach and in turn, how students are learning and spending time in the classroom. Not only that, but the children at the school will have their teachers there as their support system for years rather than just one year, such as schools with low retention rates have.

If you want to make sure that your child is set, definitely look at how long the teachers have been there so that you can get a better idea of how they feel about the school as well.

More Social Skills

Having a great environment in school can help your children with their social skills. Having a great environment helps kids learn how to interact and fosters positive behavior. With more positive behaviors in the classroom, there is more time for learning and engaging with the right social skills rather than being distracted or dealing with behavior issues throughout classes.

In a good environment, students will learn valuable skills such as empathy, compassion, listening, sharing, collaborating, and more.

Better Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Being in a negative environment or an environment that a child doesn’t like is not beneficial to their mental health or emotional well-being. This is especially true with the younger that they are.

It can actually be quite the opposite and detrimental to their well-being as well as their learning.

But why is that?

When a child is in a negative environment, their stress systems activate. They aren’t able to pay attention to what they should be paying attention to (school) and instead are busy trying to calm themselves and stay peaceful with how things are around them. 

This takes away their precious learning time and engagement in the classroom environment. And once that happens, it can put them behind. It is very hard for a child to catch up after being behind, so this can put them at a big disadvantage. 

Not only is it detrimental to their academic success, but being in a negative environment can also lead to a lack of social skills and support.

Students may feel that they can’t be themselves, aren’t comfortable on a daily basis, and won’t gain the necessary skills to be successful down the road.

Life Success 

With all that said, one of the biggest benefits of putting your child in the best environment that you can find is that it is setting them up for success down the road. 

Going to school to learn every year is one thing, but it is truly setting the foundation for them to continue their learning. With that, they will learn what it means to be a person, be a part of a bigger community, and work alongside others. This knowledge is essential when it comes to getting older and gaining independence.

Putting your child in a positive environment that they can thrive in is a must for their ability to continue to grow as they get older.

Tips for Choosing the Right School for Your Child

There are so many ways that you could go about finding the right school for your child. But that can be overwhelming (not to mention time-consuming as well!). 

That is why we have laid out tips for choosing the right school for your child. We highly recommend heeding these tips when you are looking for the right school for your child. 

Here are a few of our favorite tips!

Understand Entrance Requirements to the Right School

Depending on the type of school that you choose to send your child to, there may be entrance requirements that they need to meet and you need to be aware of.

You can often find this on the websites or just call to ask what the requirements are. This is typically one of the easier things to figure out when looking for the right school for your child.

Once you do figure out what the requirements for entrance are, then you are going to want to prepare them to make their chances of getting in higher! You can hire a tutor or put them in a test prep course or class to help them succeed to the best of their abilities. 

Although this is just one step in the entire process of getting your child in the right school, it is an important one.

Be sure not to overlook this step, as how your child does on this test could make or break their acceptance to the school.

Let Them Weigh Into What They Want

Finding the right school for your child doesn’t always mean choosing for them. It is very important to give them a voice so they can help choose where they go to school. This could mean the difference between them thinking about school as a chore versus them thriving in the environment! 

If they are old enough, you will want to ask them what they love doing. What do they love most about school? What is their favorite time of the day?

Some students love sitting in a regular classroom, while others love looser learning environments with more exploration options. Asking them this can help you determine what schooling option is right for them.

But whatever you do, be sure that you listen to what they want and need in school! Some students may do best with homeschooling, while others will want a public school. It is truly up to what the child needs in their schooling – and every child is unique. 

Make sure to listen with open ears so that you are able to help them thrive in their learning environment! They are the best person to listen to when it comes to what they want!

Consider the Location of the School

The location of the school that you want to send your child to is extremely important. You may love a school but it could be an hour away. Or, you may not like a school but love that it is only a 5-minute walk from your house.

This is part of the criteria that you have to weigh when you are making the decision about where to send your child. 

Just keep in mind that you are most likely going to be the one dropping them off at school and picking them up every single day. Not only do you want to pay attention to the mileage between home and school, but you should also pay attention to traffic patterns and what the typical commute time would be during the times of the day you would be bringing them to and from school.

Just remember – you want to hear from your child about their opinion and what they feel about the school as well.

Learn About the Extracurriculars and Curriculum of the School

One of the most important things that you need to consider when choosing where your child should go to school is the curriculum that the school teaches and the extracurriculars that they offer.

While your child may not understand the curriculum and what this means depending on their age, they should be able to weigh in with what types of things they like to learn about.

For instance, they may love math and science, so choosing a STEM-heavy curriculum program may be the right move for them. Or, maybe they love being creative. You may want to look into a school that has more creative options, such as writing courses, art courses, film courses, and more.

But what you definitely do not want to forget to ask is about what they want outside of the classroom.

Are they into soccer? Do they love art classes or pottery classes? Do they enjoy acting or improv classes?

Knowing the answers to these questions can help you determine what schools and programs are right for your child. You will want to make sure that you prioritize these options for them so that they thrive in the school environment that you place them in.

Take a Tour

Lastly, before you officially decide on a school for your child, you will definitely want to take a tour of the entire campus.

Although things can look good on paper, especially when it comes to school and what you want your child to experience, getting the real feel of it doesn’t come until you visit the campus.

This way, you get a feel for what your child would be experiencing every single day as well as how they respond to the environment itself when you do get there.

After you tour it, you can ask your child how they felt about it and if they think they would want to go there. Obviously, this conversation would look different depending on the age of your child, but including them in the process is very important!

Why SSVMM World School Is the Right Choice for the Best Learning Environment for Your Child’s Success

The right learning environment can make or break your child’s success in the classroom, which in turn can change how they act outside of the classroom.

When you choose a school for your child, you want to make sure that you follow the tips laid out above to ensure that you are putting them in a great learning environment where they can thrive. You also want to make sure you are asking them for their opinions so they can explain to you what makes them thrive and feel good!

We here at the SSVMM World School – A Cambridge International School, pride ourselves on delivering one of the best educational opportunities out there. We have various curriculum options for your children based on age to give them the best educational opportunities.

If you have any questions or want to schedule a tour, you can contact us to get started. We are here for you and your children and want the best for them just as you do! 

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Over 86% of people around the world have a smartphone. That equates to nearly 7 billion smartphone users. Experts also project that this number will increase to at least 7.3 billion by 2025. Technology is an integral part of our daily lives. As a result, the importance of technology in education is increasing. Today, we want to help you understand how educational technology can impact your child.

Educational technology has some incredible benefits for learning. Yet, these products also have a few drawbacks that are crucial to understand. That is why we created this guide.

Are you curious about what kind of technology your child may encounter at a top international school in Coimbatore? Then you need to keep reading because this article is for parents like you.

What Is Educational Technology?

Educational technology (ed-tech) encompasses the devices and applications educators use in the classroom. These products enable streamlined information exchange and enhanced communication in and outside of class.

Back in our day, the only technology used at even the best schools was the humble desktop computer. Today, it is common for schools to give students dedicated tablets to use throughout the semester.

These tablets come pre-loaded with applications students can use to learn at school and at home. With ed-tech, students can learn wherever they are and complete schoolwork at their own unique pace.

What Is the Importance of Technology in Education?

Educational technology is important because it improves student performance and engagement. It also empowers educators to offer more unique learning experiences and better reach students who have distinct learning styles.

What is more, ed-tech can enable global collaboration. Students and teachers do not have to be in the same city or even country as their peers. Learning from across the globe can diffuse into even the most remote classrooms.

The importance of technology in the classroom will only increase with time. Students must get comfortable with these technology students to remain competitive once it is time for them to enter the working world.

How Do Teachers Use Technology in the Classroom?

Teachers use technology in the classroom in a variety of ways, including enabling distance learning and engaging lessons. Learn more about the top ways teachers incorporate ed-tech in modern learning strategies next.

Video Conferencing

Technology had already begun influencing classrooms before the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, schools were becoming more and more accustomed to the use of tablets in class.

Yet, technology use in educational settings has exploded since 2020. That is due, in part, to the need for remote learning during the pandemic. Video conference technology like Zoom became commonplace.

Today, teachers still use video conferencing applications in school. They offer benefits like the ability to connect with other classrooms around the globe. Plus, students can tune into class even when they are sick at home.

Smartboard Projectors

Chalkboards used to be the norm for classrooms. They eventually gave way to whiteboards, and whiteboards fell out of favor with the rise of slide projectors. Today, the smart board reigns supreme.

What are smartboards? Smartboards allow educators to project their computer screens onto a whiteboard. There, students and teachers can interact with the projection through writing and drag-and-drop features.

Smartboards save teachers countless dollars on EXPO markers and erasers. Plus, multiple students can engage with smartboards at once. This feature encourages engagement and student collaboration.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) sits halfway between the real world and virtual reality (VR) experiences. AR overlays digital information onto the real world. The goal is to enhance the way we experience the world around us.

For example, the global phenomenon Pokemon Go uses AR. Players search for Pokemon characters in real-life settings. Once they locate a character in the real world, a digital Pokemon pops up on their smartphone or tablet.

Imagine the implications of AR in classes. Students learning about human anatomy can interact with a life-size version of the human body or its systems. This is a significantly better learning experience than using a textbook.

Virtual Excursions

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated experience students can interact with. Unlike AR, VR does not incorporate aspects of the real world. Instead, it creates a whole new digital world students can see via VR headsets.

One exciting way educators are using VR headsets in the classroom is for virtual field trips. Students can visit virtual recreations of zoos and aquariums, art museums, and parks.

Plus, there are no limits to where students can go with virtual excursions. Your child can visit the world’s most famous and educational locations without ever having to leave the classroom.

Digital Calendars

Students have a lot of important dates to remember. But with declining uses of paper in the classroom, it can be easy to miss something. This can be frustrating not only for students and teachers but also parents like you.

Digital calendars eliminate this issue. Teachers can add events, field trips, and due dates to their virtual calendars. Then, they can share them with students and even parents.

The use of this type of technology in education can help you stay in the know better. Your child can also feel confident knowing that they will never miss an important due date or field trip ever again.

3D Printing

3D printing is similar to traditional printing. It transfers a digital image into the real world. The difference is that, unlike 2D printers, a 3D printer can create three-dimensional prototypes of objects.

There are countless ways to utilize this technology in educational settings, especially in STEM or STEAM subjects. For example, science students can create 3D models of microscopic cells and more.

STEM fields are not the only places where 3D printing can improve learning. Students can recreate artifacts when learning about certain periods in history. Or they can flex their creativity by producing 3D works of art.

Learning Gamification

Gamification refers to turning everyday activities into games. The educational sphere has used gamification in the classroom for decades. Today, technology is making this task easier than ever.

Technology providers in the education space have created educational games. Students can learn without even realizing it as they claim rewards and create their own characters.

Gamification particularly resonates with the modern student. Today’s children grow up playing games online. This learning format increases engagement and encourages children who may struggle with tasks like reading or listening.

Student Feedback

Students need teachers to learn. Yet, an often overlooked fact is that educators can learn from their pupils, too. To do that, they need to be able to collect feedback from students in their classrooms.

Tablets and other devices can help teachers do just that. Educators can collect data from students, whether in real-time or via retrospective surveys. They can even analyze that data with specific applications.

Teachers can use this data to improve the classroom experience. This is also a valuable place to learn about students who may not speak up in class but feel confident giving feedback digitally.

What Are the Benefits of Using Technology in the Classroom?

There are many benefits of using technology in the classroom, including increasing collaboration, communication, and engagement. Below, we discuss the advantages of ed-tech in full.

Boost Academic Performance

A 2018 study investigated the use of technology in 8th-grade classrooms. 75% of participating teachers reported that technology improved their students’ academic performance.

Today’s students are among the first generation to grow up in a digital-first world. Their learning styles have changed accordingly. Incorporating technology into education ensures modern students learn in a more intuitive way.

Increase Engagement

One of the primary goals of the gamification of learning is to boost student engagement. The idea is that if students enjoy the way they learn, they will also enjoy the process of gaining new knowledge.

However, this is only true if schools can overcome technology disparity (more on this later). There must be a 1:1 ratio of students to devices to harness this crucial benefit.

Promote Active Learning

Studies show that students who participate in active learning have better educational outcomes. What is active learning? Active learning is similar to hands-on learning, where students participate in the process.

Technology is one of the best ways to enable active learning. One of the main ways is through online discussion boards. Students can engage with the material through journalling or reflection.

Encourage Collaboration

Collaboration is another aspect of active learning. In active learning classrooms, educators encourage students to break off into small groups. There, they can discuss the lesson with their peers.

Products like Google Suite make it easier than ever to collaborate, whether at school or at home. Students can create drafts or draw together using the same application. They can even chat with each other on these apps.

Facilitate Distance Learning

One of the most obvious benefits of using technology in the classroom is the ability to do distance learning. The COVID-19 pandemic may have dissipated. But that is not to say other future events will not cause a similar predicament.

With access to technology, students and teachers are prepared for whatever life throws their way. Incorporating these products now ensures a more manageable learning curve if the need for distance learning does arise again.

Foster Inclusion

Not all students enter the classroom with the same skills. Some may struggle with reading, while others may have more trouble with writing and spelling. Technology can put students on a more level playing field.

Modern word processors offer grammar tips and point out spelling mistakes for more seamless writing. Reading applications offer functions to help with reading. For instance, students can highlight a word and hear its pronunciation.

Preview the Workplace

99% of global workplaces use technology in some way, shape, or form. To keep up, students must enter the workplace with at least some experience with these mission-critical systems.

Learning with technology introduces students to these systems at an early age. They will understand how to navigate digital products. Their skills will advance as they use more and more applications during their educational careers.

Improve Productivity

Parents, students, and teachers alike know there is a lot to learn. Often, it can feel like learning must take place in too little time. With technology, students can learn more efficiently than ever before.

Students save countless minutes on sharping pencils, locating lost books, and keeping up with due dates. Devices keep all these tools and information in one convenient place, saving countless hours throughout the school week.

Support Learning Styles

Different students have distinct learning styles. Some may learn best from lectures and videos, while others must read and write to store knowledge. Still others are hands-on learners.

Without technology, it can be virtually impossible to meet all these learning styles where they are. Technology gives students the power to choose how they learn, whether it’s through a podcast, video, game, or digital textbook.

Inspire Creativity

Technology opens up far more avenues for creativity than traditional learning formats. For instance, think of the opportunities students could have access to with a 3D printer or augmented reality platform.

Learning creativity at a young age encourages students to value innovation. And in today’s world, the most creative and innovative minds are also often the most successful.

Enhance Information Accessibility

Money, learning disabilities, and other factors outside students’ control can limit their access to information. These students end up facing disadvantages that keep them from competing with their peers.

Technology helps eliminate these accessibility gaps. For example, students who can’t afford tutoring can use free online resources to get the help they need. Search engines also offer a wealth of information at the click of a button.

Enable Automation

This benefit is more for educators than students. Yet, it also indirectly impacts students. Teachers can automate tasks like grading, data collection, and contacting parents.

Over time, teachers will have fewer tasks on their plates. And that means they will have more time to plan engaging lessons, spend one-on-one time with students, and create closer relationships with parents like you.

Hone Technology Skills

One of the most intimidating tasks educators have on their plates is to prepare students for the future. Often, that means getting them ready for jobs and careers that do not even exist yet.

However, one thing about the future is sure: technology will play a role. Introducing students to technology will help them hone this critical skill. That way, they will feel confident entering the workplace of tomorrow.

Customize Learning

Last but most importantly, ed-tech enables personalized learning. As we mentioned, not every student has the same learning style. Children also differ in their interests and unique emotional and physical needs.

Unfortunately, conventional teaching strategies fail to take all these differences into consideration. Adding technology into the mix gives all students the tools and resources they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Are There Downsides to Using Technology in the Classroom?

There are downsides to using technology in the classroom, though the pros far outweigh the cons. Below, we discuss some of the top challenges to using technology in education and how educators are trying to solve them.

Resistance to Change

First and foremost, many schools are resistant to adopting technology in the classroom at all. And even if they do, individual teachers may hinder progress because they are resistant to change.

Yet, this problem is nothing new. Educational institutions are progressive by nature. There are dozens of historical examples of schools and teachers trying to prevent innovation in the classroom.

Part of overcoming this challenge is sending your child to the right school. Schools like SSVM World School in Coimbatore value progress in the classroom. That’s why we encourage our educators to incorporate technology into lessons.

Potential for Distraction

One of the biggest concerns parents have about technology in the classroom is the potential for distraction. After all, some studies have shown that students spend 20% of their in-class time misusing technology.

Some schools have responded by banning smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, bans do not prevent students from misusing technology. They prevent students from profiting off the benefits of ed-tech.

The best solution is for educators to create more engaging lessons. Students will be too busy and excited about learning to misuse their devices.

The Learning Curve

Many students learn how to use educational technology quickly. This is especially true of children who use technology at home. However, other students may struggle to pick up these skills.

When this happens, technology can become a hindrance instead of a help to learning. The same is true when teachers struggle to learn how to use technology effectively.

Many schools are solving this problem by dedicating management and training courses to ed-tech. Students and teachers can attend seminars in person or virtually to learn how to use devices and applications more efficiently.

Technology Disparity Concerns

Technology disparity arises when not all students can access the same technology. Often, this occurs because of cost. Devices like tablets are expensive and may be cost-prohibitive for many.

The goal of using ed-tech is to improve engagement and collaboration in the classroom. But when not everyone can afford the same technology, it can stymie these goals.

A solution to this problem is for schools to provide students with the tech they need. Well-funded schools can provide devices for all students. Other institutions may choose to only cover technology for students in need.

Learning and Memory

Countless studies have shown that we remember things better when we write them down. Typing does not have the same impact on our learning and memory systems.

This is due, in part, to the fact that typing happens at lightning speed. On the other hand, handwritten notes force the writer to slow down. The brain processes information more thoroughly.

Yet, studies also show that typing is better in some situations. Handwritten notes benefit conceptual learning while typing better enables factual learning. Students can switch between the two accordingly for optimal learning.

The Top Ed-Tech Tools for the Classroom

Are you a parent or educator looking to incorporate more technology into the classroom? If so, you may wonder what tools and applications are best.

We scoured the web for the top ed-tech tools around today and curated them for you below. Keep reading to learn about teachers’ and students’ favorite classroom technology of 2023.

Text Blaze

Text Blaze is a product for teachers to provide feedback to students. The main benefit of this platform is that teachers can create feedback templates, greatly speeding up the time it takes to leave traditional comments.

Teachers can leave more high-quality feedback to foster understanding. Plus, they will save countless hours on grading, leaving them more time to focus on students like your child.

Grammarly

Grammarly is a word-processing tool that provides spelling, grammar, and vocabulary feedback on pieces of writing. It is particularly helpful in drafting phases. Students can focus on their ideas rather than proofreading and editing.

Unlike traditional proofreading technologies, Grammarly does not let students click through mistakes without learning. They must choose the correct word or phrase, and the system lets them know why they made a mistake, too.

Kami

Kami is an application for students and teachers. It allows teachers to upload digital copies of student assignments. Then, they can annotate those documents with highlights, text boxes, and colorful drawings.

For students, Kami allows peers to collaborate better. They can share their assignments with their classmates and make changes in real time. Teachers can also track changes to monitor each student’s contribution to the project.

Quizlet

Quizlet is a digital flashcard platform. It also provides study materials and practice tests. Students can even create their own quizzes to test their understanding.

One of the coolest features of Quizlet is the ability to share quizzes and flashcards with others. Teachers can also view students’ profiles and offer feedback to improve their studying skills.

Nearpod

Nearpod is similar to Quizlet, but the makers of this product designed it with teachers in mind. Educators can create everything from presentations and quizzes to VR-enabled field trips with Nearpod.

Pair this product with a smartboard to project polls, open-ended question prompts, and VR experiences. This tool is incredibly flexible and can be configured in whatever format that best suits an individual classroom.

Kahoot!

With Kahoot, teachers can make class time feel more like a fun and engaging game. Educators can create quizzes, surveys, and more with the option to assign students points when they get questions right.

Kahoot also allows students to create their own educational games. There are pre-made templates to try. Or, students can test their creativity by designing a brand-new game from scratch.

Flip

Formerly known as FlipGrid, Flip is one of the most commonly used platforms in education. It is a video platform designed for discussions. Its format resembles social media platforms.

Teachers post a video topic, and students record themselves responding to the topic. Instead of having to read through dozens of responses, students can watch videos and engage with each other in the comments.

Book Creator

Book Creator is an application allowing users to design and even print their own stories. There are even options to incorporate interactive elements. That way, students can engage with the content they create.

Teachers can also utilize Book Creator for in-class materials. Create digital worksheets filled with video and audio, GIFs, and more. Use the product’s built-in rating system to score worksheets and track students’ progress.

EdPuzzle

EdPuzzle is every visual and auditory learner’s dream. It enables teachers to create video and audio lessons to foster more engagement in the classroom. Teachers can produce quizzes and lessons for in-class or online use.

Plus, EdPuzzle offers an interactive feature. Educators can offer real-time feedback while students work independently. They can identify when students need more information before their grades are negatively impacted.

Wakelet

Wakelet is a storage system where teachers can create and share files with students and their parents. It is particularly helpful for sharing industry or school news.

This platform does not just help teachers share text files. They can also save and share audio, video, and PDF files. That way, they can reach students and parents with different learning styles.

PearDeck

PearDeck is a new function in Google Slides. Google Slides is a tool used to design online presentations. With PearDeck, teachers and students can add interactive elements to their presentations.

For example, this tool allows teachers to add quizzes and polls to presentations. They can check students’ understanding as they progress through a lesson instead of waiting until the end.

Quizizz

Quizizz is another invaluable quiz-creation platform. What differentiates it from other tools is that it is extremely easy to use. It also enables various quiz formats, from true-or-false and multiple-choice to short-answer questions.

Another exciting feature of Quizziz is that students can compare their quiz results with their peers. The system automatically grades students’ work. This also benefits teachers, saving countless hours on manual grading.

Prodigy

Prodigy is an educational platform with tons of games for students. It offers games for students of all ages, including puzzles and arcade-like activities.

Teachers can assign tasks through Prodigy. Students can work at their own pace to complete them. Meanwhile, teachers can track progress and assign new tasks to students who complete their work ahead of time.

Schoology

Schoology is a classroom management application. It enables virtually any task educators may need, including task assignments, real-time progress tracking, and student collaboration features.

This one product can replace the need for many others on this list. It even offers built-in analytics to adjust lesson plans for optimal learning.

Headspace

Headspace is unique in that it teaches something students do not typically learn in school: self-care. This application offers mindfulness and meditation exercises. The goal is to teach students coping mechanisms for stress.

Mental health issues are one of the biggest problems plaguing students today. Products like Headspace aim to address this problem head-on.

Minecraft Education Edition

53% of students between the ages of 6 and 8 and 68% of students between the ages of 9 and 12 play Minecraft. If you haven’t heard of it, Minecraft is an online game allowing players to construct and explore their own worlds.

With Minecraft Education Edition, students can learn even more STEM skills. Plus, they will love learning through one of their favorite online games.

Storybird

Storybird is another platform allowing students to produce their own books. This product is especially awesome because it is suitable for children as young as 4–5 years of age.

Students can make their own picture books, poetry collections, or even full-length novels with the help of this app.

Google Expeditions and Virtual Tours

Google Expeditions and Virtual Tours is the technology teachers need to enable VR field trips. These products are expensive, especially when paired with VR headsets.

Yet, educators will save money in the long run. Students can travel to any destination in the world for a fraction of the actual cost to get there.

Tynker

Tynker is a coding application. It teaches students the basics of computer science in a fun and engaging way.

Plus, Tynker has a module for every age group. It is never too early for your child to start learning the fundamentals of coding. After all, experts expect demand for coding experts to grow more than 8% between now and 2027.

Anchor

Anchor is a free application allowing users to create their own podcasts. They can also browse podcasts created by other students in their own classrooms and around the world.

AllSides

AllSides is a one-of-a-kind platform teaching students to identify bias in the media. It also helps students learn how to identify high-quality information online, one of the most crucial critical thinking skills to learn in modern times.

Looking for the Best School in Coimbatore?

Technology is no longer optional when it comes to student learning. Studies show that students perform better and are more engaged when educators incorporate applications like the ones mentioned above.

Are you searching for a school in Coimbatore that recognizes the importance of technology in education? The SSVM World School is often called the best school in Coimbatore for a reason.

Contact SSVM World School today to learn more about our values and start your child’s application.

On 29 March 2023, the meeting with Mr Arun Rajamani, Managing Director, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Ms Elizabeth Cater, Director, Global Marketing, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Mr Ian Harris, Director, Brand, Communications and Advocacy, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Mr Mahesh Srivastava, Regional Director, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and Mr Dilip Kottapadath, Senior Regional Manager, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, was truly insightful.