3 Ways Technology is Changing Higher Education

Technology is Changing Education. That’s Not Necessarily a Bad Thing.

Technology has transformed our lives, including in schools and higher education. Today’s students are “digital natives”, and it has affected their education in many ways. At times, that influence is for the worse: the distraction of cell phones has left many school districts, and even colleges, struggling to command their students' attention. Social media has a dark side, including through online bullying. And students have more sources to choose from than ever through the internet, but many are not peer reviewed and trustworthy. 

However, it's important to remember the influence of technology can also be for the better. Education is more accessible and personalized than ever before, in no small part due to the role of technology. 

1. Technology has made Education more Accessible 

While college and university remain inaccessible for many, digital education has taken a huge step forward and enabled students to learn no matter their age, background, or location. It’s not just those who couldn’t access education previously who are benefiting: 

• Online Degree Programs: Universities such as Arizona State University are offering fully online degree programs, which increases accessibility no matter students’ location, and increases flexibility with other commitments. 

• Virtual AP and Language Courses: In high school, and in college, students are not constrained by the courses offered by their school or college. Platforms like EdX and Coursera provide quality courses taught by university professors, and there are several credit-offering platforms. 

• Test Preparation Tools: Students preparing for exams – from the SAT to the GRE – can use online platforms like Khan Academy to study at their own pace and personalize their learning plans.

  
  

2. Technology is Enabling a Flipped Classroom 

• Teachers are shifting from “sage on the stage” to “student guide”: Teachers and professors at colleges like Harvard and MIT are using technology to step back from a “sage on the stage” classroom role and instead take a guiding position, helping students navigate the wealth of information available to them digitally. In practice, that might look like a “flipped classroom” in which teachers assign pre-recorded lectures and reading materials for homework, and then, rather than lecturing live, students spend classroom time working as a group and collaborating, with the teacher or professor walking around the room to provide support. 

• This collaboration is enabled by technology: Google Docs and similar tools mean students can work together in the same document at the same time, for example. 

• This means classroom time becomes more experiential and discussion-based: Today, instead of using class time for lectures, students are being exposed to a variety of different experiential learning opportunities, from coding live through interactive platforms like Codecademy or MATLAB, and even using science classroom time for labs and lab simulations – also enabled by new technologies! 

  
  

3. Education is More Tailored Than Ever 

Today’s educational tools mean that every student can learn in the way that best suits them. In the past, teachers and professors could only cater to a single learning style, but AI-driven tools allow students to learn at their own pace and double down on the materials that are hardest for them. Students may try several tools: 

• AI Language Learning: Foreign language learning is especially apt for AI, which can adapt learning to students’ individual pace. The popular language-learning app, Duolingo, makes use of AI to provide students with extra practice. 

• Teacher or Professor Tools: In addition to tools focused on student learning, students may be exposed to tools their teachers use, which may be powered by AI, to provide teachers with extra insights. Tools like Brightspace and Canvas fall in this category, and may be used to help professors identify the areas in which students need extra support. 

New technologies mean more opportunities – but also new demands on students to understand the tools available to them and make the most of them. These are skills that will serve them not just in school, but also in their future careers.