The teacher is the influence, the enforcer, the coach and the inspiration for students. However, with the implementation of new technology, they’ve now had to give up the being the head of the classroom. That’s what Julie Smith of EdTechMagazine highlights in an article on “hands-on” learning.

“As new technologies find their way into the hands of students, traditional lecture-style instruction loses its impact,” said Smith in her report.

“Active learning, in which students take control of their own education, moves to the forefront.”

The report took statistics from the NMC Horizon Report: 2015 K-12 Edition, which yielded a summary to explain that students can attain core knowledge and directly apply what they learned to activities, challenges and projects. Application essentially furthers the learning process because if applied incorrectly problems will occur. For students, their job is to assess why the problems occurred and adjust their application.

“Other success stories demonstrate the power of technology to advance deeper learning,” said Smith in her report.

“According to a case study from the Alliance for Excellent Education, Talladega County Schools in Alabama saw a 10 percent increase in the district wide graduation rate after implementing technology-based deeper-learning initiatives at all 17 of its schools.”

Though the hands-on approach puts educators in a pretty unforeseen position of continuing to coach students as they conduct their projects. Educators shouldn’t let this new approach scare them. There are still ways that teachers can impact students. Motivation is one factor that the hands-on approach doesn’t really push. This puts educators in more of a coach’s role but what are teams without their coaches’ right? Teachers should also understand that more EdTech is on the way and the best way to welcome it is by being as prepared as possible.

“More advanced technologies such as 3D printers and wearables are also tapped for deeper learning at select K–12 schools and higher ed institutions worldwide,” according to Smith.

“The NMC report estimates that 3D printers will become more mainstream within two to five years, when students will begin relying on the technology to visualize everything from mathematical models to archaeological artifacts.”

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Article by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor