American education has come a long way since the one-room schoolhouse that Laura Ingalls attended in her Little House on the Prairie series. Schools have also advanced greatly from the iconic “little red schoolhouse” that used to characterize education in much of America until World War II. It’s about to become even more sophisticated with AI and innovative technologies being the main drivers.

The Traditional Blackboard is Gone

Teachers used to teach on a blackboard when I was in elementary school over three decades ago. They graduated to green boards when I was in junior high and high school. However, both boards are so old school. When I walk into my son’s classrooms, I am greeted by digital whiteboards and the latest technologies.

Emerging Technologies Work Wonders in Education

Hey wait! Aren’t teachers always confiscating iPhones and iPads, claiming that they are a real distraction to the classroom learning environment? So, how can emerging technologies help students learn better? If you asked that question, you are not alone. However, the Pew Research Center recently surveyed teachers across America. It found that 92% of them stated that the Internet helped them teach better by allowing them to access content, materials, and resources more easily and faster.

Advanced Technologies Engage Students

And as we all know, engaged students learn more. It’s not surprising that Gen Alpha students were playing with technologies before they knew how to talk, in some cases, literally. Today’s young students want to be entertained when they learn, and the latest technologies are very engaging and make learning enjoyable.

Students get more out of learning when they play educational computer and other programs on digital devices: computers, phones, iPads, tablets, and many more.

New Technologies Can Easily Adapt to Different Learning Styles

Every student learns differently. Some can learn by reading a book, while others need a more hands-on approach. Teachers find that newer technologies are great at helping teachers tailor lesson plans to each student’s learning needs and abilities.

Technological Integration Encourages Classroom Collaboration

And employers value workers with a collaborative attitude. Students who use technology in the classroom tend to participate more and be more active in classroom group projects. More tech savvy students work with their less tech savvy peers to help them catch up and complete group work successfully.

Technological Integration Helps Prep Students for the Workplace

Many to most workplaces use some form of ChatGPT or other AI tools to boost worker productivity. Teachers help their students get ready for tomorrow’s work force when they integrate advanced and newer technologies in the classroom. The same is true for the older and more widespread MS Suite of tools like Power Point and Excel.

Tomorrow’s Students Are More Tech Savvy

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, given just how technologically advanced most post-modern workplaces are becoming. Teachers are adequately preparing tomorrow’s workforce for challenging positions by having them experiment and work with emerging technologies today.