Abstract:

Since the advent of computers in the mid 1970’s, educators have discussed the potential for computers to help improve student learning (Hew & Brush, 2007). Computers are not the only teaching and learning options for teachers and students; the dawn of the millennia has brought forth a plethora of new, innovative, and smart technologies.

The National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES, 2018) reported that in 2015 94% of children ages 3 to 18 had a computer at home and 61% had internet access at home. Furthermore, NCES reported the availability of computers and the internet at home increased with the age of the child and levels of parent educational attainment; the older the child and the more educated the parent resulted in increased availability of computers and internet access in the home. Of the 39% of children who did not have access to the internet at home, the expense of connectivity and absence of family need were cited as the two primary reasons the home did not have internet availability. In contrast to children with internet access in the home, those who did not have this access were from low income homes and parents had lower levels of parent educational attainment. Furthermore, NCES also reported 65% of children ages 3 – 18 had internet access at school. In order to close the digital divide, it is vital teachers incorporate newer innovative technologies in the classroom.

Research reveals engaging students in their learning processes increases their motivation and attention to the content, increases their critical thinking skills and promotes meaningful learning experiences for students. In this session the presenters will explore numerous new, innovative, and smart technologies available for K –12 teachers to better engage students in the digital classroom. The presenters will share how the use of 21st technologies in the K – 12 digital classroom provides greater support to students’ different learning modalities and enhances student engagement in the teaching and learning process. Furthermore, the presenters will convey ways in which these digital resources promote dynamic student interactions and collaborations with both teachers and peers. Finally, the presenters will provide examples of how teachers use new technologies to inform instructional decisions resulting in students’ deeper understanding of the content.

Keywords:

Digital classroom, student engagement.