Prep Talk

How Mobile Technology is Shaping Education

Posted December 14th, 2015

Mobile technology is forever changing the way humans communicate—and it’s also changing the way our children learn. As a parent of a teenager, you’ve undoubtedly seen how fast children are adapting to the technologies of today, something that many of us in earlier generations still find a little difficult. It’s all happening so fast it’s hard to keep up, isn’t it?

Even though adults might be struggling with these advances, however, it’s important to understand the power that mobile technologies will have in the future. They will not only continue to make our lives more convenient, but will be central to how we do business in the digital economy and compete on the global stage.

Changing Education for the Better

An article in Brookings, entitled “Connected learning: How is mobile technology impacting education?” discusses four ways that mobile technology is changing the face of education. Everything from personalized education that allows more visual, auditory and textual learning experiences to real-time assessment with the detailed metrics and data helps teachers tailor lessons to individuals and learn instantly whether students are meeting educational goals.

Here at the Prep, we’re using many of these technologies to broaden the exposure of our students to new ideas, new learning initiatives and better ways to communicate efficiently. The iPad your sons are using at school aren’t just the latest fad in education, they’re a critical tool in helping students learn to use the technologies that will be standard issue in doing business tomorrow.

Keep it Moving

We think it’s important to use new media to find ways to help our students not only learn better, but to keep them connected with faculty and each other, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood. Using Google Hangouts, for instance, allowed an alumnus to talk to Prep students about his new career in the film industry—something that would not have been possible even five years ago. Newer apps like SnapChat and Periscope can help us communicate with students and help them collaborate with each other, so we’re exploring ways to use them to our students’ benefit.

Empower Students to Excel

Yes, times are changing, and we must change with them if we are to equip our sons to be the leaders of the future. Tomorrow’s companies will no longer be using PowerPoints and big company meetings to convey information and communicate—not if our digitally-connected Generation Z children have a say in things. So stay tuned. We’ll continue to incorporate mobile innovations into classrooms at the Prep to keep our Hermit Brotherhood on the leading edge.