The use of technology in the classroom can enhance student learning by increasing the exposure that students get to material, as well as diversifying the formats of this exposure.  Technology provides the teacher with more ways in which to present material and aid student learning (e.g. aural, visual, demonstrations, applications).  David Brown states, “The computer assists professors in their delivery of the picture that is worth a thousand words, of sound accompanying text, of attention-grabbing animation.”  A PowerPoint presentation of a lecture’s outline can help students see where the class is going and how to organize their notes.  Videotaped demonstrations can be used when in-class demonstrations are not feasible, or when presenting the information to a large class that would have difficulty seeing an in-person presentation.  Images or videos can be presented to reinforce lecture material.

Technology can also be used in class to not only vary formats of presented information, but also to encourage active learning and initiate interactive exchanges between students and between the professor and the class.  For example, an image or video clip can be used as a discussion starter. Clickers can be used to initiate discussions: Present a thought-provoking question that corresponds with the day’s lecture material, as well as several possible responses. Ask students to use their clickers to select which response they most agree with.  Use this information as the platform to start a discussion. 

Clickers can also be used to implement in-class quizzes, take a poll of student opinions or understanding, and record attendance.  One suggestion is to take a break in the middle of class to gage student comprehension of the material covered so far.  Ask a question that would require student understanding to correctly answer, and have the students respond using their clickers.  In this way, teachers can gain immediate feedback on the current level of student comprehension of the material, and shape the direction of the rest of the class accordingly.   However you use technology in the classroom, ensure that students understand how they will be graded for their responses.

See Instructional Development and Support for more information on integrating technology into the classroom.               

Resources:
Brown, D.G. (2000).  Ed.  Teaching with Technology.  Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing Company.