It’s been over two years since the world as a whole adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it presented to every facet of life. Schools were quick to implement technology to help facilitate instruction both inside and outside of the classroom. Because more students had access to web-enabled devices and high-speed internet, schools looked for ways to foster and maintain connection and collaboration between teachers and students. Screen mirroring became the innovation more teachers were drawn to so that students could continue to participate in lessons and discussions.
Screen mirroring allows users to share exactly what is on a front-of-class display, desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone. This means that teachers could share what was on the class display with students learning from home, supporting their active participation. With software like CleverShare, students could not only share what was on their device screens with the display in the class, but collaborate in small groups on presentations, offer feedback on classmate work, and annotate on lesson slides presented by the teacher.
There are definite benefits to screen mirroring software:
Because teachers can share wirelessly on the screen, they can move around the room freely. This is optimal for observing student work, gauging understanding, and providing individual student help. Students are also prompted to “follow the teacher”, keeping them alert and focused throughout the lesson.
Since screen mirroring software enables students to also share what’s on their devices, they are more likely to stay focused and engaged in case they are called on to share with the class. As students become more accustomed to sharing and providing feedback, their confidence in their abilities will grow. When teachers provide multiple opportunities for students to participate in lessons, they’ll feel stronger about their skills.
With the adjustments in teaching and learning since 2020, efficient use of time is essential to help meet students’ needs. Screen mirroring boosts collaboration without needless time spent connecting cables and devices. In addition, students can quickly share their work without having to come to the board and rewrite problems and solutions.
The need for students learning outside of the classroom to feel included and have the ability to collaborate is critical. Screen mirroring allows students to participate as fully as possible in all class activities and lessons. One technology coordinator commented on the value of screen mirroring when students in his district were remote learning saying, “With the (screen) mirroring feature, whatever is happening on the board the students at home can see on their devices. They can even collaborate with the students in class by sharing what they do on their devices to the panel.” See how Bennington Public Schools uses Screen Mirroring software to improve learning in their district: Bennington Public Schools.
The most common ways that teachers use screen mirroring include:
Playing videos and showing images can support longer attention spans, motivate students to focus and learn, and increase active learning and participation. Students learning from home can feel a part of the class because they are viewing the same videos and images, thus able to provide commentary and feedback when appropriate.
When teacher and student are able to collaborate on an activity, trust is built, and mutual learning is fostered. For better comprehension and retention, teachers share student work, and the class can discuss positives and rooms for improvement. CleverShare allows for up to nine devices to be shared on the MimioPro 4 interactive display. This innovation allows for more in-depth discussion and greater opportunity for collaboration. For example, after discussing a writing rubric, the teacher can display one or more student samples and the rubric to compare.
Some screen mirroring software works in combination with an interactive display so that class teams can present together, including students who are learning from home. Responsibilities can be evenly shared, and those who are hybrid or remote learning can play an active role in their team’s collaborative effort.
Technology has had to make incredible changes to enable teachers to continue their work and ensure that students receive quality instruction. The degree of dynamic interactivity that is possible now is immeasurable, and cutting-edge features like screen mirroring help push instruction to new levels. For a while, the unknown was unnerving. As it stands today, the unknown can be an exciting path for our generation of tech-savvy students.
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