How is technology shaping learning in higher education?
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the development of teaching and learning methods in higher education right now. The benefits that implementing technology in teaching unlocks is helping educators to not only become more effective in their teaching by reaching each student, but also makes their courses of more value to students.
Integrating this technology into their approach to education means that institutions can attract more students and keep pace with their educational needs.
These are some of the ways that technology is achieving this in higher education:
Creating accessible learning resources
One significant way that technology is shaping learning in higher education is by making learning resources and course material more widely accessible to more learners. The vast range of educational resources that digital learning platforms have to offer, including online libraries, digital archives, and Open Educational Resources (OER’s) pave the way for more independent, self-directed learning.
The use of media such as video content is a huge help to students who engage better with concepts via a visual approach. Video lectures allow for students to revisit the material whenever they need to ensure they have a firm grasp of the concepts. Ensuring course material is readily accessible also enables education to be more readily available to people of all ages with various outside commitments, promoting life-long learning.
Personalisation of course content
The personalised learning experience that digital learning environments offer allow students to learn at their own pace without being held back or falling behind. This is particularly helpful to students with a learning difficulty or who prefer a slower pace. Adaptive learning technologies mean lecturers can adjust the pace and difficulty of course materials as required. The fact that this material can be covered in students’ own time and on their own devices contributes toward a better learning experience.
Tools like these help educators to reach each individual and address their learning needs. This not only improves student satisfaction but makes schools and courses more attractive to prospective students.
Assessment and analytics
Data analytics and assessment tools allow instructors to monitor student progress and get a true image of their students’ level of understanding. Digital features like these highlight where students may be struggling and target areas of weakness, providing personalised feedback to help the development of each student. Tailoring course content and assessments to the individual learning needs of students empowers them to improve upon their understanding of concepts and perform better in finals. This not only allows students to get more out of their learning, but also equips educators to offer more effective teaching.
Technology is playing a significant role in shaping learning in higher education by making access to education available to larger groups of learners, improving the learning experience by tailoring course content and style to suit the individual needs of students, and equipping educators to make their teaching more effective.
