How to Use Digital Tools to Develop Executive Functioning Skills
For many students, classroom learning is a fun and inviting experience. However, for others, difficulties in managing time, focusing, or remembering concepts taught in class make learning a little more difficult. Classrooms that are flexible and provide various avenues for learning, especially those that are fun and interactive, provide great opportunities for these students to become more comfortable with learning, and excel. One of these avenues in particular has become incredibly prominent in everyday life, and has made its way into classrooms as well. It has proven itself to be a fantastic tool for learning and has been shown to engage children and improve engagement. What is this wonderful tool? Turns out, it’s everywhere: technology.
Executive functioning, according to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, is described as “the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully.” These skills are, of course, crucial in everyday life, however, they become especially critical in school where the intake and retention of knowledge relies heavily on the ability to focus and manage multiple concepts at once. For many students, executive functioning is difficult and daunting. However, with the introduction of technology into the classroom, many students are receiving much needed relief and aid.
The use of technology in the classroom is still relatively new, but it is becoming more frequent with each incoming class. Grand Canyon University reports that the use of any technology in the classroom promotes increased student engagement, productivity, and creativity. The concept of integrating technology into the classroom may be daunting, especially for those who are not as familiar with it as others. However, a little goes a long way in terms of technology, and even integrating small pieces into everyday classroom life can give students opportunities to learn in new and exciting ways.
One of the most prominent benefits of technology is that students have the opportunity to interact with their learning environment. Many programs used to help students manage their time or improve their memory are designed with games or animations that keep student engagement high which improves their focus and recollection. Websites such as Quizlet allow students to make interactive flashcards that they can use to study from. The website gives statistics about cards that students need to work on, and provides games to make learning easier and more fun.
One of the best ways that an instructor can use technology in their classroom is through interactive websites. Edutopia cites websites such as BrainPOP, Scholastic, and even Skype as ways for children to learn interactively. Websites such as these provide interactive games for students to get involved with that are easy to use and even adjust if necessary, making them a valuable resource. Youtube can also be a fantastic resource if you know where to look! Many channels produce a variety of educational and kid-friendly videos that can aid in understanding topics from math to english. Fan favorites include “PBS Kids” and “Crash Course”. For older kids, “Ted-ED” and “Khan Academy” help to develop more complicated skills in an easy to understand way.
At Your Learning Toolbox, we use a variety of tools to help our students learn, especially when it comes to virtual learning. These include websites like “brainingcamp”, “edpuzzle”, and “Pixton Comic Book Apps.” These tools are helpful in both the classroom, and in our tutoring sessions, especially for students who have executive functioning delays. Technology has made learning online easier than ever, especially with many students now opting to learn online due to distance or other concerns.
It is understandable to be nervous or skeptical about the use of technology in the classroom. Still, when instructors are given the right materials and tools to use it with, technology can be an incredible tool in helping students learn and develop their executive functioning skills. Technology is continuing to develop everyday, and there is no shortage of programs and websites dedicated to helping children learn, remember, and manage their time.
