Smart technologies students use today

The purpose of the education system is not just to educate but also to prepare students for the world. With technological advancements and digital technology gaining momentum exponentially, it is obvious that the traditional classroom is now undergoing a paradigm shift. Digital tools are steadily becoming an indispensable component of the modernday classroom. Here are a few digital tools that are already in use in a number of classrooms in the UAE. Hopefully in 2019, these will become the norm in all classrooms without exception.

Clever touch board

One of the most noticeable transformation is the shift from whiteboards to ‘clever touch boards’. These are basically interactive flat panel displays that work like touchscreens. They have crystal-clear displays on which teachers can show slides, videos, etc. This has rendered the projector obsolete. Teachers no longer have to worry about standing in front of the projector and casting a shadow on the screen or misplacing the remote to operate the projector.

These screens also double as writing boards — you can write on them with a swipe of your finger. Not only do schools save costs on whiteboard markers, this initiative is environment-friendly, too.

Augmented – virtual reality

AR-VR is the future of classroom learning. Simulation in the classroom makes concepts more tangible and easier to grasp. This will help a great number of audio-visual learners and open new arenas for each and every subject. This is a technology that can be used extensively in all lessons. Imagine a virtual tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory or experiencing the structure of an atom so closely that you could almost touch it.

Artificial intelligence

AI can greatly enhance the classroom experience by recognising learning patterns of each student.

Aside from looking at AI as a technology that has to be applied in schools, it also needs to be incorporated in the curriculum as a course or a subject.

We hear it so often that jobs in the next 15 to 20 years do not exist at the moment. But one thing is for sure, a great number of the jobs of the future would be related to AI. It is imperative that it is blended into the education realm.

We are looking at the tip of the ice berg when it comes to digital technology. We can’t really say what to expect in the coming years but one thing is for sure — classrooms will get more exciting with every passing day.

Jobs in the next 15 to 20 years do not exist at the moment. But one thing is for sure, a great number of the jobs of the future would be related to AI.”