We are lucky to live in a time when technological advances are reported every day. From laptops, to smartphones, to mobile apps, opportunities for learning have never been so great. While there are many obvious uses for technology in our everyday lives, the role of technology in the classroom has skyrocketed in recent years. Read on for several ways in which tech progress has improved the educational experience — at each level of learning.

Preschool

Some parents are hesitant to introduce their children to electronics at such a young age, fearing delays in development, but babies and toddlers often familiarize themselves with the world around them through tablets and learning applications. Small children learn shapes or practice the alphabet using kid-friendly programs on touch screen tablet computers. High-resolution, color displays and durable screens make digital tablets an effective and cutting-edge learning tool for even the youngest minds.

Elementary School

Children in elementary school have recently seen a substantial increase in technology available in the classroom. While it was once typical to see one desktop computer for 20 or 30 youngsters, these days, a ton of educational funding goes toward digital learning tools. Kindle’s Whispercast, for example, is a service that allows schools to distribute Kindles, and manage the content uploaded onto the devices. E-books offer numerous benefits to young students including the ability to instantly define words readers don’t understand. They are a valuable classroom resource.

High School

The majority of high schoolers in the US today have access to laptops and digital devices for educational purposes. Technology allows students to write papers in record time and offers them online resources like spell checkers and grammar tools to improve the quality of their work and minimize errors. Beyond the basic functionality of these devices, many teenagers rely on smart phones to remind them about assignment due-dates and to get instant answers for any questions they might have, including grammar help. In this way, smart phones and other mobile devices can boost self-confidence and help students do better in school because they no longer fear asking “dumb” questions aloud in class. For those students who continue to struggle with material, tutoring services like those offered by the Academic Advantage can be found online and can greatly improve a student’s test scores.

College

Laptops have become the norm for university students, but for some, tablets and ultrabooks are even more useful for studying. The convenience of a tablet is great for taking notes in class and jotting down thoughts in between meetings. Later, that same tablet can morph into a more typical laptop that’s conducive for research and writing papers. Additionally, textbooks are an increasingly rare sight on college campuses. Most students have access to texts online, or they read up for class on their digital reading devices. Finally, online programs like Grammarly offer spell check, grammar check, and plagiarism avoidance tools so students can feel confident about every piece of work they submit.

As technology continues to improve, students will undeniably benefit from enhanced digital learning aids. Whether there is merely an increase in the use of tech devices in the classroom, improved access to national tutoring centers via the web, or enhanced mobile study tools and apps, the various ways technology broadens the field of learning is virtually endless.