As we all already know, technology is improving every day. With this comes a plethora of new ways to use technology in the classroom. Not, as is commonly misconstrued, as a replacement for teachers, but instead as a way to supplement and add depth to learning. Here are some examples:

Take virtual field trips with your class. This can be incredibly useful in specific history or literature courses. Imagine having the opportunity to take a class who just read Edgar Allen Poe on a virtual tour of all his homes. Imagine being able to take a class learning about Ancient Greek Democracy on a virtual tour of the Parthenon. Of course, it is not the same as the experience, but it can provide aids and excitement where that experience is not possible.

Use 3D models. This idea ties closely with the previous one, as it is obvious that when comparing looking at a 2D model of a cell or a 3D model of a cell, the 3D model will give the student a much more thorough and accurate understanding.

Use online tools for students to turn their homework in and to facilitate discussion out of class time. This, at the forefront, saves paper by having them submit homework or documents through google docs or online portals as opposed to printing out countless essays and assignments. Additionally, it can also provide a platform for students to interact with your prompts or each other outside of class by creating an online class forum.

Use online flashcards to prevent a mess and make studying easily accessible. Encourage your students to use websites or apps that enable them to create flashcards and other study tools. This prevents them from ever losing their materials and also gives them an online place to collaborate with others students and manipulate their study materials easily if they need to correct or change them. They will also be easily accessible so students can have a quick study session from just about anywhere they have a phone instead of having to carry around a pile of papers.

Encourage your students to make blogs. These blogs can be precisely directed and used as responses to prompts you give and reading material in the class. You can use them as a hybrid for responding to books that they are learning and collecting their thoughts, but also as a platform for creative writing and critical thinking. It will give your students something that is uniquely their space to write about relevant course materials. Additionally, provide them with liberty in how much they share. Say that you encourage them to post every week or twice a week throughout the semester, but they are only required to share half of those posts with you for a grade. This way, they will explore in ways that they may not if every assignment was turned in and can still keep things private.