Adaptive Learning Technology /
Resources
Addressing individual learning gaps
continues to be at the top of priority lists
for student achievement in the classroom.
Adaptive learning technologies have
already proven successful in the
classroom and are a growing piece of the
education puzzle. As the infrastructure
needed to support these types of
initiatives is more easily accessible and
widespread, teachers are finding ways
to incorporate these technologies into
blended learning programs, according to
EdTech Update.
IoT in the Classroom
You may be unfamiliar with the term
IoT (Internet of Things), but you likely
use it every day. IoT is a network of
devices connected to the internet that
deliver real-time insights to connected
devices, such as cell phones, laptops,
or even your television. These “smart”
devices offer a unique benefit in the
classroom in the form of interactive
whiteboards, e-books, 3-D printers,
security cameras, and attendance tracking
systems. Use of IoT can remove barriers
to learning such as location, language, and
economic standing.
A recent TEDx article highlighted
a Fargo, North Dakota, teacher, Kayla
Delzer, and her use of technology
in the classroom. She believes it can
revolutionize education, but only if used
correctly. “Using technology simply
for the sake of using it is wasteful,”
Delzer says. “If tech doesn’t transform
your classroom, your teaching or your
students’ learning, skip it.” One easy rule
of thumb: If a project can be done using
paper or pencil but you’re doing it on a
computer or device, it’s not transforming
your classroom. The possibilities for
technology in the K-12 classroom setting
are endless and, if implemented correctly,
change the course of education as we
know it.
Change in Educator
Practices / School
Infrastructure
Although technology is getting all
the hype for being a game changer in
the education industry, the real success
comes from teachers and their active role
in ensuring the proper employment of
Higher Education
The U.S. offers a diverse array of options for students interested in higher
education. From specialized discipline areas to on-the-job employee training,
many of these institutions aren’t as easily available to students in other countries.
Community colleges offer two-year associate degree programs that offer occupation
skills training to prepare students for employment, while private and public colleges
offer focused coursework in arts,
humanities, business, education,
and almost any area of focus
that may exist. Students are now
asking much more from their
higher education institutions,
and those institutions are
answering the call. As the cost of
attending school sees no sign of
diminishing in the near future,
students—both traditional and
non-traditional—have high
expectations for where their
money is being spent.
Restructuring
Colleges and universities are looking to new ways of educating their students to
not only better prepare them for their future, but to afford them the opportunity
to learn and grow with the advanced, ever-changing technologies accessible to
them. Colleges and universities across the nation look for ways to keep tuition
costs low but expand their reach to students looking to further their education.
Digital learning has proven to be one way to do so, providing educators with the
tools necessary to reach students wherever they may be in the world. For students
wanting to stay on campus for their learning, institutions are revamping their
campuses to better incorporate the expanding technologies available to them for
learning.
Online Learning
According to the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for
Education Statistics, 27.7 percent of all undergrads and 32.7 percent of all graduate
students complete at least some portion of their courses on an online platform.
Institutions are investing in online learning as a way to make learning more
attainable for all types of students. Specialized degrees are being offered in hundreds
of areas such as marketing and real estate instead of simply going for business
administration. Students who see a clear path to their career are opting for these
types of degrees to work directly toward their future.
Campus Changes
The integration of technology across college campuses has forced institutions
to rethink the architecture of their classrooms. There was once a time, not so
long ago, that libraries had to clear out space to add computer labs, printers and
scanners. Now, smart classrooms are connecting technologies through IoT, and
active-learning classrooms are allowing students to engage in collaborative reflection
sitting around tables of laptops, cameras and shared displays. In addition to
increased capabilities for hardware, there is also a demand for quality IT networks
with increased bandwidth. According to a 2017 study by the Center for Digital
Education, 43 percent of institutions adopting technologies are doing it as a driver
for student retention. In addition, 38 percent of institutions listed improved student
learning outcomes as a top driver for implementation of campus technologies.
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