How Technology Will Play A Large Role In The Future Of Education

As technology advances at an alarming rate, it’s no secret that its influence is being felt in all aspects of life, including education. While there are some who may be apprehensive about how technology will change the educational landscape, there are many reasons to believe that it will play a large role in the future of education. Some of the advantages that technology brings to the table include increased access to information, opportunities for personalized learning, and more efficient ways of communicating and sharing ideas. As more schools embrace digital learning tools and strategies, parents can feel confident that their children are getting the best possible education.

How Education is Changing

As parents, we want what is best for our children. We hope that they will have opportunities to succeed in whatever they choose to do in life. One of the most important things we can do for our children is to provide them with a good education. In the past, this has meant sending them to a traditional school where they are taught in a classroom setting. However, with the advent of technology, the way that education is delivered is changing. 

Technology has always been a part of education, but it was usually reserved for special classes or for students who needed extra help. However, technology has become a front and centre effort to keep classrooms running with the pandemic outbreak. From Zoom calls to Google Classroom, technology has allowed educators to continue teaching even when they can’t be in the same room as their students. And while there have been some challenges associated with this transition, overall, it has been a positive experience for both students and teachers. With the use of technology, students have been able to stay engaged in their learning and continue making progress even during a time of upheaval.

In addition, there are now a variety of online resources that students can use to supplement their learning. While technology cannot replace the in-person classroom experience, it can be used as a positive way to help students learn.

Future Occupations

It is no secret that the world is constantly changing and that change is only accelerating. With new technologies and industries emerging all the time, it can be hard to keep up. This is especially true when it comes to children and their future occupations. A recent study by the World Economic Forum estimates that 65% of children entering primary school will find themselves in careers that today do not even exist. This is a staggering statistic that highlights just how important it is for children to be adaptable and open-minded when learning technology. While it may be scary to think about, it also presents an exciting opportunity for children to forge their own path in the world. As long as they can embrace change and learn new things, they will be well-positioned to succeed in whatever the future may hold.

Technology In Education

Technology has always been an integral part of education, from the chalkboard to the overhead projector. However, the future of technology in education is poised to have a much more profound impact on how students learn. As students become more comfortable with digital tools and resources, teachers are able to expand beyond linear, text-based learning to engage students who learn best in other ways. For example, students who are visual learners can benefit from using video and graphic applications to explore new concepts. Similarly, students who are auditory learners can use audio recordings and podcasts to supplement their understanding of course material. By harnessing the power of technology, teachers can create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment that better meets the needs of all students.

The future of technology in education can also be used to improve communication. Technology can help students connect with each other and with their instructors in new ways. For example, students can use video conferencing to participate in class discussions from anywhere in the world. They can also use online chat rooms to collaborate on group projects. In addition, students can use technology to research topics more effectively. With a few clicks of a mouse, they can access a wealth of information that would otherwise be unavailable to them. As a result, technology has the potential to improve the quality of education significantly.

Some of the technology that students will see in the not-so-distant future may involve:

Social media – Allowing students and educators to post ideas and comments in an interactive learning environment. Also, students may follow influencers and learn from their posts. 

Simulation and models – Digital simulations and models can help teachers explain difficult concepts. Software is currently being developed to help students understand evolution, a simulation of how electrons interact with matter and much more!

Assessments – With new technology, teachers can collect real-time assessment data from their students. They will better understand how far along each student is, how much time a student spends on each question and whether their answers are correct. 

Games – Technology in the classroom will include commercial game-like simulations that put students in professional roles like journalist, city planner, or engineer and ask them to solve real-world problems. Some teachers believe that by simulating real-life problems, video games can bring about behavioural changes in the students by making them more goal-oriented.

Virtual Reality – With many brands of virtual reality offering innovative learning resources, educators are exploring the idea of it being capable of immersing students in their chosen subject and helping them to learn. 

Interactive Textbooks – Technology is changing the way we think of textbooks. Future interactive textbooks may have web-based sites that include videos, animations, assessments and other materials that can support the learning of new content. 

Online Resources

Here at Dropkick Math Academy, we are proud to be one of the online resources born during the pandemic that can help children facing a gap in learning. As a group of Ontario Certified teachers, we saw the need for more resources for children aged 9 – 15, and decided to take action. Our programs focus on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning) and provide support in learning key math skills by focusing on relationships and engaging the parent/guardian.

Math is a subject that requires confidence and certainty. Without it, students can become overwhelmed and quickly give up. That’s why our math programs are designed to turn uncertainty into confidence. As students navigate through the program, they’ll be rewarded with incentives to keep them engaged and eager to continue learning. With each successful math operation solved, your child’s confidence will grow, giving them the skills they need to succeed for years to come.

Math education has evolved over the years, and with the continued access to technology in the classroom and at home, it is changing even more. Learn more about our math help services and how we differ from traditional math tutoring services. Get started by having your child take our FREE assessment today!

How To Save The School Year After A Slow Start

There’s no doubt that struggling with some concepts at the start of the school year can be discouraging. Your child may feel like they are falling behind and that it’s impossible to catch up. But they need to remember that it’s not how they start that matters, it’s how they finish. With a little bit of hard work and dedication, they can turn things around and better understand the learning concepts that can help with their future studies.

There are many steps that can be taken to help children with any educational gaps they may be experiencing. Tutoring is a great way to help a child who may be falling behind in learning, especially in mathematics. Tutoring comes in many forms, including one-on-one instruction, virtual tutoring, and group classes. Each type of tutoring can be helpful in different ways, but each interaction can help a child develop ideas and fully understand complex concepts. 

One-On-One Tutoring

Asking questions is an essential part of the learning process, but it can be challenging to do in a large class setting. This can sometimes be the cause of a slow start to a school year. When a child is one of many students competing for a teacher’s attention, it can be easy for them to feel lost in the shuffle. This is why personalized learning opportunities with a one-on-one tutor can be so valuable. Being able to ask questions in a one-on-one environment can make a big difference in academic performance. Many children feel more comfortable asking questions in a personalized setting, and they can also get more out of the conversation. As a result, they can better understand the material and apply it to their coursework.

However, this tactic for performing better in school may be effective, but it isn’t always available or convenient. Many families are busy and may not have time to book a tutor for scheduled lessons. Tutors are also in high demand, so it may be challenging to get a time slot that works for your child. This makes it frustrating for the child and parent as they cannot schedule regular lessons. One-on-one tutors may also not be tailored to individual learning styles or needs. 

Dropkick Math

At Dropkick Math, we are different than traditional math tutoring. Our unique programs focus on the fundamental misunderstandings your child may have in math and can provide them with the skills they need to keep advancing. We offer a fun alternative to one-on-one tutors that can help your child build their confidence and thrive in mathematics through self-learning. 

Our programs focus on the four pillars of math, using engaging, innovative programs. Each module helps students fully understand critical concepts that are the base fundamentals of mathematics. By the end of the program, your child will be able to persevere through challenging math concepts, ask questions for clarification, and learn from valuable mistakes.

Take Action

No one wants to hear that their child struggles in school, but it happens. And when it does, it’s important to take action. Saving a school year, whether it is one class or multiple classes that need a boost, is entirely doable as long as your child has a positive attitude, desire, and a strategy to perform better. Creating a growth mindset is essential for your child’s success in learning. Children with a growth mindset see learning as a great challenge. They also believe that they can improve if they put in enough effort.

Enrolling them in Dropkick Math Academy is the first place to start when needing to save the school year. Our qualified Ontario Certified Teachers can offer differentiated approaches, making it accessible for all learning needs. In addition, our curriculum is designed to make sure your child grasps concepts quickly and thoroughly. With our help, your child will be able to save their school year after a slow start. 

Is Your Child Struggling With Learning?

It is not uncommon for children to struggle with learning during the start of the school year. Your child may receive a lower-than-expected grade on their progress report card or feel like they don’t understand what their teacher is talking about in class. Regardless of the situation, it’s important to remember that with some help, it is not too late for your child to catch up on their learning. With a little bit of commitment, they can get back on track and make the most of the year. 

Not sure if an online math tutor is for your child? Check out our program descriptions today and learn about each module that can help boost your child’s confidence and set them up with the skills needed for their future. So, don’t waste your time searching for “math tutor near me,” contact Dropkick Math today and get your child the help they need to get back on track. 

Math is Math! Why Would They Change It?

If your child comes to you for help with their homework, you may be confused when you see how it is being taught. The mathematics that students learn today is most likely highly different from what you learned at school. 

The main thing to keep in mind is that math hasn’t changed. The way it is taught has. Unfortunately, when Ontario shifted mathematics teaching, parents were not informed. This left many frustrated as they realized they did not understand how to help their children in mathematics. 

The shift in the way mathematics is taught was not an overnight decision, although it may seem that way to some parents. Math education had been researched for decades by experts in both the education and mathematics fields, and it was found to be lagging in many areas. 

As society becomes more interconnected and globalized, information and technology are rapidly evolving. Since most information is now readily available through our smartphones or tablets, children need to be better versed in complex decision-making and problem-solving as these are skills that computers are not yet able to help with. 

Major Transformation

We live in a time of significant transformation, which means that children growing up through this period need to receive an education that prepares them for a world of automation and artificial intelligence. According to the 2016 Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum, 65% of children entering primary school today will work end up working in job types and functions that don’t even exist yet. In the 2018 Future of Jobs Report, it was predicted that human skills such as “creativity, originality, initiative, persuasion, negotiation, and critical thinking will be in high demand along with “attention to detail, resilience, flexibility, and complex problem-solving.” This means the education needs to be designed with platforms that mirror what students will meet when they are ready for college or a career. 

The traditional ways of learning are no longer enough to prepare children for the future. There is an urgent need to improve education, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). So, our job as educators and parents is to prepare children for their future by teaching them mathematics that will be useful and applicable in the years to come. 

New Ways Of Thinking

The technological world around us today is forcing students into new ways of thinking, which should be reflected in mathematics instruction. Students need to be both effective and efficient thinkers. Effective thinkers are taught to think long term, which means using longer or more complicated methods for solving problems. This may not always provide an answer at first, but it allows students to develop a foundational understanding of math concepts that will eventually give them the skills to question, critique, and reason to get their answers. 

Efficient thinkers believe that math should be done in steps and procedures that produce an answer as quickly as possible with the least amount of time involved. Parents may remember this type of thinking from the traditional way math was taught by “borrowing,” “carrying,” or “putting a zero.” Many didn’t fully understand the algorithm but did know that it was fast and got them the correct answer. In the past, those who could get an answer quickly were considered good at mathematics.  

Multiple Paths To A Solution

The way that math is taught today prepares children to be creative problem solvers who can find multiple paths to a solution. Students are no longer expected just to get the correct answer; they need to focus on the process. 

Over the past few decades, research has shown that children learn math better when taught through guided discovery. This teaching method provides students with support, but they ultimately develop the math rules themselves, a stark difference from learning them through memorization, as many of us parents experienced. 

Helping Your Child

Dropkick Math is here for you if your child is coming to you for help with their math homework and you don’t understand how it is being taught. We are a type of online math tutor that can help your child understand the fundamentals of mathematics while also educating the parent. By learning alongside your child, we will expose you to new learning strategies your child is experiencing in their classroom

It is a common misconception that it is difficult for parents to contribute to their child’s math education. At Dropkick Math, we believe that by working together, both you and your child can learn the fundamentals of math and gain skills that will translate for years to come. 

Many people simply go online and search “math tutor near me,” but this will only get you traditional tutors who may not give you and your child the support you need. As one of the leading math programs in Toronto, Dropkick Math provides support in learning key math skills by focusing on relationships and engaging the parent/guardian. Get started today by learning more about our programs.