How Online Courseware Vastly Improves the Student-Teacher Relationship
The education landscape looks vastly different today than it did twenty, ten or even five years ago. As technology moves even deeper into the education sector, there is an abundance of new tools, programs and software available to both instructors and students promising to make life easier.
One of these tools is online courseware, which has become one of the fastest growing fields in academics. In fact, more than 88 percent of students feel they could earn better grades using interactive digital courseware compared to traditional methods. This makes it vital for educators to understand the benefits of leveraging this type of technology and how it can benefit their relationship with students.
Maximizes time for educators.
Technology allows educators to escape the administrative vortex while saving time to establish more meaningful relationships with students. These tools, for instance, allow teachers to manage multiple courses within one, easy-to-use dashboard. In addition, they’re packed with auto-graded labs and self-assessments to reduce grading, so instructors are able to spend more one-on-one time with students to solve problems, answer questions and develop trust. By freeing up this extra time, instructors are able to spend more time with students reviewing materials that they struggle with, answering questions, and providing feedback.
Promotes a flexible curriculum.
Digital education tools have made learning ubiquitous by connecting students to their courses anywhere and at any time. This improves the chances of higher student engagement and helps student learn material better. In fact, a study revealed that 90 percent of students believe that digital curriculum make learning more efficient and effective for students
In addition, by using this technology, educators also are able to customize coursework based on the needs and preferences of each student, which includes adapting courses to meet the needs of students with disabilities or who are sick. Some online courseware also provides full editorial support, allowing for educators to create customized content that aligns specifically with course objectives.
Allows for early intervention.
Online courseware allows educators to track student’s work and assess comprehension more effectively. This means teachers are able to see if a student if falling behind or not engaging properly with the materials. As a result, teachers can intervene quicker and faster to help at a higher impact. In addition, educators can leverage data to identify patterns of disengagement and intervene earlier to help students throughout their learning journey.
Fosters long-term engagement.
A new piece of technology may not keep students engaged on its own. However, it can foster long-term engagement by observing how students interact with the technology while simultaneously gathering feedback on how it’s effectively being leveraged for the sole purpose of learning. Therefore, teachers can make well-informed decisions on new learning techniques based on a trusting respectful relationship with students.
The proof.
Recently, Kennesaw State University (KSU) experienced how technology could improve the relationships between student and instructor in its WELL 1000 course which experienced high DWFI rates. In order to do so, KSU leveraged innovative online courseware to house materials as well as leverage their innovative tools, which included predictive analytics to identify struggling students.
Throughout the semester, educators had access to unique analytics that demonstrated the effectiveness of student learning. The courseware, for instance, allowed for unlimited tracking of data to find gaps in students’ performance. This allowed educators to check on students who were struggling early on and further engage them to maintain progress throughout the semester. In addition, part-time faculty members were able to more easily identify struggling students, so they could focus more on giving timely and beneficial feedback on assignments.
After each semester, KSU would gather feedback and re-engineer the entire platform to make changes, improvements, and revisions to the course to fit the needs of students. Together, KSU was able to provide students with a more tailored learning experience designed to increase engagement each year. By using the web-based courseware, KSU’s saw its DWFI rates plummet by nearly 50 percent.
The future of ed tech.
As online courseware continues to evolve, the impact it will have across the education industry is incalculable. This innovation will only continue to revolutionize the way traditional and non-traditional classrooms are managed. That’s why it’s vital for universities to leverage these solutions to promote a new and improved way to learning. Together, groundbreaking change can be made across education.
