How is Screen Sharing for Teachers Useful
We all know how committed teachers are to their students. Beyond class hours, teachers plan lessons, grade tests, run clubs and extracurriculars, and provide extra support for their students during their “off” time. So it’s no wonder so many teachers report feeling overworked and underappreciated. A tool like screen sharing for teachers can help them be excellent instructors without sacrificing so much of their time.
IT managers can help teachers and their districts by integrating modern technology, such as screen sharing, into the classroom. “No individual educator—no matter how talented—can be expected to provide individualized instruction to all learners in his/her class simultaneously. In this respect, technology is uniquely positioned to complement traditional teaching,” as explained by an essay from Bookings.
It may be challenging for teachers to learn new devices and how to leverage them effectively into their curriculum, but the benefits should outweigh the negatives. IT departments may not reside inside the classroom, but they often make decisions that directly impact teachers’ ability to teach and students’ ability to learn. Easy-to-use, secure technology that improves learning experiences is essential.
Due to its friendliness and ease of use, screen sharing for teachers has become a popular teaching tool in the digital age. The technology gives educators the ability to share their screens on a classroom display without the need for wires or adaptors.
New technology is raising the bar for classroom teaching as students and teachers have returned this fall to classes. The only way to achieve this is if teachers invest the time and the effort to create empathic, engaging and equitable classroom environments, from kindergarten to postsecondary education. A simple tool such as screen-sharing can greatly benefit school districts and their teachers.
Why Is Screen Sharing So Helpful in the Classroom?
EdTech is constantly evolving as new tools and updates are released almost every day. As an IT manager or admin you might be wondering what the benefits of screen sharing for teachers are.
While these tools bring a change to the classroom environment, they also allow teachers to check for understanding and ensure students are progressing as expected – all while minimizing interruptions and distractions. However, the fear of new technology or the unknown may come into play, IT, schools districts and teachers should consider how the benefits (creating a more engaging environment for students) far outweigh any uncertainty.
According to an article of Waterford Org, this can be of great assistance. “When students feel interested in their work for the sake of mastering it, they develop a love of learning that will benefit them for their entire lives. Plus, they’re also more likely to have positive attitudes towards their teachers, classes, and lessons.”
Fortunately, screen sharing can also be used by students. They can explain what they’ve learned to their classmates, start a discussion, or even help answer questions from their classmates by screen sharing. Engaging students benefits both the students and the teachers. Students learn better, and teachers’ work becomes easier.
Screen sharing apps come with a variety of features that promote positive and effective teaching practices. Each of these should be reviewed in turn:
Teacher Mobility
The main benefit of screen sharing for teachers is that teachers and students can share what’s on their devices to a display from anywhere in the classroom. This keeps teachers from being tied to their desks to share notes or examples from their own devices and keeps students from huddling around devices to see what their peers are working on.
With a simple click, multiple students can share their device screen to a display for student-to-student collaboration. Teachers and students can be truly mobile with screen sharing.
Related: Why choose a software solution for your wireless screen sharing needs?
Improves Student-Teacher Engagement.
In the classroom, screen sharing is quickly becoming the technology of choice. By using screen sharing students are more likely to be engaged and attentive to the teacher. Additionally, teachers can walk around the classroom while teaching, no longer tethered to their desks.
Easy Presentations
Today, giving a class presentation is so easy, but it’s typically one person presenting. With a wireless screen sharing system, up to four students in the class – with the permission of the teacher – can share work at the same time. Teachers don’t have to waste valuable classroom time dealing with wires and compatible adapters. It is also a huge benefit for IT because maintenance and support become easier when the systems are wireless and remote.
Real-Time Checks for Understanding.
A wireless screen sharing system allows for easier movement so teachers can check in with students to ensure they are on track without interrupting lessons.
Academic Achievement for Every Student.
Seeing the progress of individual students when they share their work through a screen helps teachers recognize which students are progressing adequately and which students may need more assistance. Identifying students who may fall behind earlier in the lesson increases the likelihood that they will get the help they need.
More Student-to-Student Engagement.
With the ability to share screens, teachers who move around the class have the ability to recognize opportunities where student work can be spontaneously shared with the class; setting students up to be better, lifelong contributors and collaborators.
It is important to have an all-in-one screen sharing system with multiple features that meet all your district’s requirements.
Related: Why standardised software makes education easier
How to Choose the Best Screen Sharing for Teachers
Screen sharing, online streaming, screens, and virtual classrooms are changing the classroom forever. Without wires and cables to manage or waiting for IT support, teachers can spend more time teaching, engaging students, and creating a collaborative learning atmosphere.
Screen sharing is ideal for teachers, but it also helps students easily share their work and collaborate with classmates and their teacher. This more engaging environment has the ability to sustain student attention and capture the interest of more students who typically don’t participate.
Features to Look Out For
We have reviewed what screen sharing for teachers can do, but as an IT administrator, what should you prioritize to make your job easier? In a nutshell, these features are:
- Made for education. Make sure you choose a scalable, easy-to-use wireless screen sharing and student engagement platform engineered for, and by, the education sector.
- Metrics. Ability to see all the activity and log in. For example, how often teachers and students are presenting to the display, who are the most active users, who might need PD training, and how often the app features are being used.
- Active Directory. Connect directly to your user database through LDAP and SAML. You can sign in with your existing credentials and will inherit appropriate roles depending on the groups you are assigned to.
- Intuitive app. Most solutions do not have an app, but having one gives teachers more control. If the app is intuitive it won’t require training no matter technical aptitude. It is also important to be of easy download like from the App Store or Play Store or deploy the app to every teacher and student device with one click.
- Agnostic. You want your screen sharing software to be able to work on any display, with any device, media and learning type.
- Bulk configuration and update. You can centrally change settings on the boxes, such as updating admin passwords, changing proxy settings, or restarting devices remotely.
Do you want to try the only screen sharing tool made specifically for education? Request a demo from Vivi and enhance your district’s teaching with a friendly edtech tool like screen sharing for teachers.
