Technology in the Classroom: Redefining Education
A foundational principle at the core of education is the value of progress — the ability to acknowledge the constant need for improvement and the actions taken to pursue such changes in the classroom and beyond. University leaders must understand that instructional systems in and out of the classroom have never been perfect, and as a result, are constantly seeking new ways to improve those systems for future students.
Of course, the mere presence of technology does not improve educational standards. It takes understanding students and social environments to create a supportive and equitable space for them to benefit from such tools. If executed properly, these innovations have the power to enhance a student’s academic experience and heighten their trajectory for future success. Here are three ways I’ve noticed how technology can redefine the classroom.
1. Availability of resources
In its most basic form, technology has created more equitable and accessible paths to education. As technology and innovation makes us more globalized and interconnected, masses of new information such as online books, audio content, images, videos and live news feeds of current events become instantly available. Universities have capitalized on this phenomena by redefining the way a traditional classroom operates.
MOOCs, for example, have changed the educational landscape significantly. They are often critiqued for their low completion rates, but the impact they carry is rooted in how they have spurred a new method for educators to creatively present content. Instead of having access to one source, students have hundreds; instead of reading words in a book, educators can bring them to life in the form of videos; and instead of having to attend class in one specific location, students can now attend a class from anywhere in the world.
2. Collaboration & communication
Innovation has also provided new opportunities to expand communication and collaboration with and between classrooms and institutions. Traditionally, classrooms have been relatively isolated, and collaboration has been limited to other students in the same classroom or building. Today, academics use new forms of communication and collaboration to enhance educational experiences across borders.
For example, CETYS University in Mexico and University of La Verne in California created a partnership to teach a video conference course titled “Leadership and Culture: Building Bridges.” The class is made up of half CETYS students and half ULV students. It teaches students the skills necessary to overcome cultural barriers and bring innovative projects to life in their communities or at any type of organization. This type of course would not be possible without the use of online video conferencing tools, collaborative documents and presentation-making platforms, and more.
Technology alone did not create this course, but rather educators imagined what they wanted to offer their students and used 21st century technologies to make this happen. Cases like these redefine our image of a classroom with new modes of learning, collaborating and communicating. With innovative tools, institutions can create a globalized curriculum that exposes students to collaborative opportunities with their peers around the world.
3. Role of educators
Some argue that technology overtakes the role of the teacher. However, I believe differently. A teacher’s presence in a classroom is more important now than ever before, though technology is redefining their role.
With the tremendous amount of information accessible to students today, educators may not serve as the primary presenter or lecturer, but they are essential guides helping students navigate the depth of knowledge and vast information now available. To make education and growth equitable, students need a proactive leader in the classroom who can create unique curated spaces for individual students. Technology gives educators that space. With automated learning algorithms on the rise, professors spend less time having to worry about reading instructions out loud, grading standardized exams or taking attendance.
As technological capabilities continue to grow, educators will spend more time giving one-on-one attention to students on topics such as critical thinking and writing, forming logical arguments and learning interpersonal skills between peers.
Heberto Peterson is the Academic Dean, Campus Tijuana at CETYS University
