Impact of Technology in Boarding Schools

Boarding schools have changed dramatically over the years. Gone are the days when boarding schools were seen as a place to take unwanted or stubborn children. Positive learning experiences and student development have replaced stories of harsh house masters and bullying of newbies. In the 21st-century, boarding schools are seen as safe learning environments for students of all ages. One of the most significant contributors to these positive changes in technology. Kids today are already interested in technology. They start using laptops and tablets from home and at a very young age. So, when schools introduce any advanced technology in their management or enhance their education, students will likely catch on quickly. There are several benefits of taking your child to a boarding school, and the use of technology has made it even better. Student assessment has been made easier Student assessment is essential for teachers because they understand where the gaps are in a student’s education. Testing and interviews have been the most common way to determine a student’s learning progress. Schools are adopting cloud-based learning during the recent pandemic, where students can attend lessons and take tests. This has simplified things for teachers because they can virtually monitor a student’s progress and take action to help them do better. Cloud-based learning might be relatively new to some boarding schools but not in the international school in Abu Dhabi. Most international schools already offer digital classrooms for their students, where both learning and student assessment is done. Students learn at their own pace Student’s learning abilities and how they learn differently. Some are visual learners, practical learners, and some learn best on their own. The provision of the internet in boarding school libraries has allowed students to learn continuously. Students can access lesson plans and course materials through shared apps within the school. This allows the learner to refer to a topic they didn’t understand or read ahead to familiarize themselves with the next subject. Learners are more independent and are taking charge of their academics through technology. Enhanced student-teacher relationships Technology has added some spice to the traditional lecture. Integrating technology in lessons has made learning more fun. It has introduced a new way of learning the same thing. Using customized educational apps has also made students see teachers as more of content experts and coaches. The relationship between student and teacher is not so formal anymore. Students can communicate directly with their teachers through apps. They can also give feedback and participate in discussions with their classmates before or after the lesson. Technology has no limitations Students have access to other sources of information outside the textbooks. Computer labs and libraries with internet connectivity allow students to learn concepts in a new way. Through educational portals such as digital encyclopedias and academic journals, students can compare notes and broaden their understanding of a particular subject. This has been beneficial for both students and teachers. Additionally, through technology, teachers have multiple teaching resources. For example, in a history class, students can take a virtual field trip to the museum or any historical site through their devices. This enhances the learning experience of the students and keeps them engaged in the classroom. Technology has encouraged collaboration Using apps, technology has made it possible for data to be stored in one place and shared among the relevant staff. Keeping all student data in one place has made the management of information more accessible. For example, school staff can quickly check which students are on campus and vice versa. The school nurse can also access a student’s medical information as it was filled during admission. Gone are the days when the staff had to go through a stash of files and run from office to office to receive information. This has transformed the management of boarding schools significantly. Teaching and administration staff can focus more on the wellbeing of students. Technology has also encouraged collaboration among students. Virtual learning environments where students can collaborate on projects, share information, and participate in forums have helped promote student collaboration. Students are prepared for the future Students can learn a variety of necessary skills for the 21st century in the classroom through technology. Skills such as online etiquette, writing emails, and creating presentations can help kids in their professional future. Both students and teachers will benefit from learning new ways of communication and collaboration through technology in schools. Technology is being used in every industry today. Students are better off knowing it sooner. Today’s generation is digitally native. Denying kids the opportunity to take full advantage of it in school is unfair, especially in this century. Using technology in schools is not only useful for students but also teachers and other staff. Recent events have disrupted education, but technology has done a brilliant job filling in the gap.