How Technology Keeps Shaping Learning In Higher Education

technology keeps shaping learning in higher education

Technological advancements have come a long way, and they’ll continue to advance, especially regarding the technologies used for educational learning purposes. It’s crucial to determine technology’s role in education because its emergence will continue to be more prevalent.

In this post, not only are we going to discuss this, but also the different types of technologies that have been used thus far. Get ready to have your mind blown by the technological advancements you might not have realized were being used so often in the classroom.

Go beyond what you know and get a different perspective on another way to learn and provide information to students effectively.

Types of Technology Used in the Classroom

Before we discuss how technology can be used in higher learning, we’ll outline the various types of technology you might find. The first is the ongoing use of computers and tablets for learning purposes.

This isn’t new, but after the pandemic, having devices like these that worked was more important than ever because it is the only way to connect teachers with students and ensure their educational needs are met. Using tablets and computers in higher learning is helpful because it frees students up in several ways.

The first, for instance, is that students don’t have to worry about sticking to a specific schedule. Instead, they can access their online course when it fits the time they’ve set aside. 

Another common reason these devices are used is that they can help promote better computer literacy. Computer literacy is a skill many employers are looking for in their employees once they begin looking for a job.

We understand that not every student can afford to buy their own laptops. This is when you should look into whether online colleges do provide laptops or not. The last thing you want to do is spend the money on something new when you can pay a lower cost or rental fee to use a laptop throughout the time you’re completing your studies.

Robotics is another form of technology that’s being used in a number of ways, including for 3D printing purposes. Mastering the art of 3D printing can help create various products and has proven useful in several industries, such as healthcare. 

Of course, numerous other forms of technology are used for higher learning, but these are just a few. Now let’s take a deeper look at how it’s being used to shape learning for students that seek higher learning education.

Allows Professors to Embrace New Methods of Teaching

One way that technology shapes higher learning is by providing a variety of new tools for professors to access. With the aid of these new tools, professors can truly meet each student where they are in the learning process and provide a more robust learning experience. 

It also makes it easier for professors to create coursework that students can engage with in various ways and improves connectivity whether the student is present on campus or not. Technology allows teachers to put students in situations or scenarios that mimic real-life scenarios they may find themselves in.

Consider a nursing course; for instance, if a student needs to work through a medical emergency, a professor could implement the use of AR/VR. When the student places the headset on, they can work through the case in real time and learn from the various outcomes based on the treatment they provide to the patient.

This can aid the professor in better assessing what areas students need to review and be retaught before taking their final exams.

Helps Improve Collaboration

While all courses don’t require collaboration among students, there are quite a few that due. However, it can be challenging to ask students to collaborate with one another when you also need to account for social distancing regulations that might still be implemented at different universities worldwide.

Collaboration in higher learning is crucial because it teaches students to embrace other students’ ideas and thought processes. This can allow students to consider a different way of thinking and apply it to their future studies.

Depending on the medium used for classes during the semester, students can utilize various communication channels to interact with their classmates. These channels could include video chat rooms or websites related to the course. Most professors will provide guidelines for the communication tools that students have access to before the semester begins.

This guides students in the right direction as they continue working on their course.

Increases Amount of Learning Opportunities for Students

Many academic institutions offer students the ability to take advantage of a different form of learning by traveling abroad. However, again due to the pandemic, many travel abroad programs were put on hold because different areas didn’t allow travelers to access certain regions of the world.

But, with the use of technology, students can gain access to these different opportunities without having to step foot on a plane or other form of transportation. Technology can provide an interactive online experience that immerses the student in a different world and allows them to learn from someone else.

Students can take a trip worldwide and add it as a notch in their academic belt before completing their degree. 

Improves the Assessment Process

In the past, teachers had to spend time manually grading assignments that students turned in throughout the course. With the use of technology, grading assessments and providing quick feedback have become an even more streamlined process.

When teachers were grading assignments manually, it would affect the parameters and types of assignments that teachers gave out to students. There is only so much time in the semester to spend on assignments and getting them graded in a timely manner.

Technology and Its Place in Higher Learning

Technology is here to stay, and it will continue improving how people approach higher learning. From providing more interactive experiences for students to allowing teachers to grade assignments in a quicker fashion, it’s useful and beneficial to all involved.

Nicole Middleton
Nicole calls herself a typical millennial girl and thrives on her share of social media, celebrity gossip, and all things viral content. She’s a big fan of pop music and plays the guitar as a hobby.