How Technology Can Improve Student Centered Learing

As educators, we are always trying to improve education to meet the needs of our students. Technology is booming and has become a huge focus for school systems over the past few years. Technology integration encourages active engagement in the classroom and also helps students to connect to real-world topics and experts. There are many ways that technology can support and improve student centered learning, such as individualizing and personalizing student learning, assessing individual student's progress in all subjects, project-based and research learning opportunities, and students can even have the opportunity to present cross curricular content in alternative ways. However, there are some challenges that educators have to overcome to integrate technology successfully. Many teachers lack confidence in their technology skills and those who do use technology do so to present information to their students rather than to provide hand-on learning opportunities for their students. Also, there may be too little technology resources available for students to utilize with their students due to the lack of funding.  I believe that integrating technology within the classroom is a process that has to happen slowly over time. With the right resources and professional development, technology is a great source educators can use to improve student centered learning.