Every single year the world around us is changing and becoming far more technological. Consider this: the iPhone was only invented in 2007, and now nearly half of all cell phone users in the United States have iPhones. Chances are your children even have cell phones, laptops, tablets, video game consoles, and the list goes on and on. It’s doubtful that this trend will reverse itself, so if you’re not already on the technology train it’s high time to hop aboard. But how is tech impacting children’s education? There are a lot of things to consider on the subject.

Here are the three ways that we notice our students benefiting from tech:

Access To Information
Your curious elementary school student has access to more information now than you could have ever imagined at her age. Want to know how a car engine works, or what monkeys eat, or how far away Mars is? Today our children have instant access to information right at their fingertips. Of course, this access should be monitored and limited to exclude certain content, but the fact remains that children are able to pursue what makes them curious in a new, robust way. It’s important to also mention that not all information found on the internet is accurate, so students should be taught how to be discerning consumers of information found online.

Connections To People And Culture
Not only does technology offer students access to information, but they have access to people and cultures around the world. Technology has opened up the world of travel and connectivity in ways our ancestors could never have imagined. Today, more than ever before education can step far beyond the classroom and into cultures and communities on the other side of the globe. Our children can not only learn about Asian cultures but can Skype with students in a Korean classroom to learn first hand what their lives are like.

Sometimes technology can get a bad rap based on the lack of longitudinal data we have on how things like screen time and social media impact people long term. However, it’s not wise to throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are a great number of benefits that come along with technology and it can be used in the classroom and at home to enhance a child’s education and help them to dabble in new interests and explore their own creativity. For more information about how technology is integrated into St. Barnabas classrooms, contact us today and set up a time to come visit our campus.