Educational institutions can no longer avoid introducing technology into their classrooms. Primarily, the new tech brings plenty of benefits. It’s because of the outside world that tech in classrooms is crucial, however.
Over 82% of middle-skill jobs require digital skills. This number will only continue to grow, and it’s the responsibility of the educational institutions to ensure that students are computer literate.
Computer literacy includes both the theoretical and practical knowledge of cybersecurity. Teaching children from a young age about the possible cyber attacks, showing them how to properly behave online, and using a VPN and antimalware programs for classroom computers is essential.
The Importance of Using Technology in the Classroom
Even though more and more schools are trying to incorporate the use of new tech, over 60% of classroom technology use is passive. This means that students aren’t well-prepared for post-secondary education, and aren’t prepared for the business world as well.
Young Students and New Teachers
Most young students constantly engage with technology outside the classroom. They rely on it for interaction with their peers, and they also use it for learning. The new generations are the digital natives, and regardless of whether that’s a good thing or not – they depend on technology in their everyday life.
The situation is very similar to the new teachers entering the workforce. Post-secondary education incorporates technology at a higher degree, so new teachers consider new tech to be a necessity for a good education.
Learning at Their Own Pace
One of the major advantages of new technology is that it allows all students to learn at their own pace and keep up with their peers. This includes students with learning disabilities, those who are bedridden or cannot otherwise go to school.
Students who have trouble understanding a lesson can go over it more easily, or those who are more advanced can skip ahead.
This also allows the teacher to be more of a coach or mentor, rather than a person of authority, thus improving the relationship between students and teachers.
The Importance of Using and Teaching About Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is on the rise, and the victims of cyber attacks can suffer great consequences. Most people are under the misconception that hackers attack only big targets, but that’s not the case.
While a smaller target, such as a young student, might not have a bank account or important data on their device, they can be used for organizing a larger attack. Every compromised password or infected device is worth something to a cybercriminal.
The thing is, many children use their parents’ devices to access online content. This can put their parents at risk. Stolen credit card information, work emails, and passwords, etc., spell disaster for everyone involved.
Young students are among the easiest targets since they constantly use technology without knowing how to behave safely online.
It’s the school’s responsibility to teach proper ways of behaving online, how to create strong passwords, how to use a VPN, what to do if they become a victim of a cyber attack, and more.
Cybersecurity Necessities in the Classroom
Theoretical knowledge often isn’t enough, and children learn best by observing and copying others’ behavior. Teachers must not only tell them about the best cybersecurity practices but show them as well.
Some interesting activities that teach practical skills can prove to be invaluable for the students’ education on better cybersecurity. Teachers could send test phishing emails to their students to showcase how easy it is to make a mistake online. And teachers should and must use proper cybersecurity measures that’ll prove to be crucial for the students down the line.
Antimalware Software in the Classroom
Antimalware software is often the first line of defense against cyber attacks. It protects any device from malicious programs and helps everyone stay secure.
Not using anti-malware software doesn’t only show children that it’s unnecessary, but it also puts the school at risk. All the student, parent, teacher information can be easily compromised by an unnoticeable cyberattack.
VPN in the Classroom
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network (download it for Android), serves to create a safe connection between a device and a network. It hides and encrypts the connection from other users, providing better anonymity and security online.
Young students often have trouble understanding what a VPN is, and classrooms are the perfect place to learn how to use it.
New technology offers great benefits but has great risks as well. The sooner students and teachers learn how to use it, and how to stay secure, the lower the risk to get harmed by cyber attacks.
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