Student engagement and course evaluations are vital in improving the educational experience. With the growing popularity of AI and remote/hybrid learning, higher education institutions must prioritize meeting the evolving needs of digital learners to succeed.
NSSE’s 2021 student engagement report has shown that first-year students attending in-person felt instructors were more responsive, while those in remote or hybrid formats faced more mental health issues.
Rather than resisting technology by banning cellphones or AI, embracing it is the way to go. Many institutions are now integrating advanced educational technologies to better meet student needs, boost engagement, and drive institutional success.
This blog explores why embracing cutting-edge technology in a classroom environment can increase student participation and success rates.
Instant Information Access
The biggest upside of using technology in the classroom is that it gives students immediate access to extensive information and resources. With digital tools like academic journals, project management platforms, and study apps, students can explore various subjects, conduct research, and access materials beyond traditional textbooks.
A few examples of how classroom technology can enhance learning include:
Digital Content Libraries
Digital libraries or online databases allow students to access various academic and research materials. Content like e-books, scholarly articles, journals, and multimedia clips can make a huge difference when it comes to absorbing and retaining crucial concepts.
Online Platforms and Systems
Educational platforms and learning management systems (LMS) provide a centralized location for teachers to share resources and for students to access information. These platforms can host digital textbooks, supporting multimedia material, interactive learning modules, and assignments student can complete remotely.
Open Educational Resources (OER)
OERs refer to educational materials that are available online for free. Instructors can utilize OER platforms to find textbooks, lesson plans, videos, and other resources that align with the curriculum and provide students with additional information sources.
Check Out Repositories and Platforms Here
2. Get the Right Insights from Student Comments with AI
Student feedback comes in many forms: course evaluations, rating websites, campus reviews, and other data collection tools. These comments often provide deeper insights into student experiences than numerical ratings would on their own.
While ratings can offer valuable data, delving deeper into student comments captures the full spectrum of their perspectives, emotions, and suggestions. The issue for many administrators is that sifting through large volumes of unstructured feedback data takes lots of time and focus—both of which may be in short supply.
This is where AI technology, like Explorance MLY, comes in. Purpose-built tools like this one automate student comment analysis, quickly and accurately extracting valuable insights instead of boilerplate takeaways.
The entire process can take minutes, not hours or days, and enables institutions to better understand student needs and preferences.
By going beyond fundamental student sentiment analysis and finding bottom-up recommendations, you gather actionable input to help you identify what to start, continue, or stop in order to improve the educational environment.
Learn More About How You Can Get Deeper Insights from Student Feedback Like Liverpool John Moores University
3. Connect Classroom Learning to the Real World
Technology removes physical classroom boundaries, bringing real-world experiences directly to students. A geology professor, for example, can take students on a virtual tour of the Grand Canyon, an initiative that offers immersive learning textbooks can’t replicate.
Virtual guest speaker sessions also allow students to engage with experts in different fields and connect classroom lessons to real-world concepts and applications. This bridge between theory and practice makes students more engaged because the learning experience is more relevant and impactful.
In general, technological tools help foster critical thinking by exposing students to diverse perspectives and practical challenges in their desired field, preparing them for future problem-solving and career decision-making.
4. Prepare Students for Success in the Modern Workforce
To succeed in the modern workplace, students need more than the basics—they must be familiar with the tools and practices they’ll encounter professionally. By integrating more technology into the curriculum, institutions ensure students will find workforce success beyond graduation.
Examples of skills that translate well beyond graduation include:
Digital Literacy
Integrating technology in the classroom helps students develop digital literacy, teaching them to navigate platforms, use productivity tools, collaborate online, and communicate effectively in digital environments.
Information Management
Technology equips students to access, organize, and analyze data—skills that are crucial for making informed decisions in the workplace. For example, mastering data analysis tools can help you interpret market trends and guide strategic business decisions.
Adaptability
Exposure to various digital tools in the classroom helps students become adaptable, enabling them to quickly learn and use new technologies in their future careers. Imagine a student that becomes proficient with data visualization tools. Then they’ll be better prepared to handle similar software in the workplace, making them efficient in their roles.
Creativity and Innovation
Technology enables students to create multimedia presentations, design projects, and develop prototypes, fostering creativity and innovation—critical industry skills. Students using digital design tools for a marketing campaign can apply these skills to future projects, demonstrating their ability to innovate and solve problems effectively.
Collaboration and communication
Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Drive are vital for fostering collaboration and communication, reflecting the teamwork required in today’s work environments. By using these tools for group projects, students gain practical experience in coordinating remotely and sharing information, preparing them for effective teamwork in their future careers.
5. Use Feedback to Support Different Learning Styles
Integrating technology in the classroom is crucial for enhancing learning experiences and preparing students for the workforce. However, technology can only be effective if students’ interactions with these tools evolve over time so they make informed, data-driven decisions. If the integration isn’t continuously adapted, its benefits will quickly fade, leaving students and educators missing out on the full potential of their tools.
To maximize technology’s impact, institutions should continually encourage consistent training and support. This improves the student experience, ensures efficient use of technology, enhances feedback quality, and supports informed decisions for institutional success.
With automated with tools like Explorance Blue, course evaluations streamline the feedback process, allowing students to provide input effortlessly. This real-time feedback helps educators make data-driven decisions that directly impact institutional success.
Explorance Blue also supports diverse learning styles by enabling instructors to connect with every student, regardless of location or challenges. By analyzing feedback, educators can tailor their teaching methods to meet individual needs, ensuring all students are engaged and supported in their learning journey.
Streamlining feedback through technology improves evaluation processes and makes learning more personalized and impactful for students.
Read How Boise State University Drives Success in Driving Student Success With Explorance Blue
6. Teach Responsible Digital Citizenship
Incorporating technology into the classroom reinforces students’ roles as digital citizens and teaches them to navigate the digital world responsibly. As they interact on social media and other platforms, students must understand the importance of ethical behavior, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
Students need to understand the importance of ethical behavior, data privacy, and cybersecurity while interacting on social media and other platforms. This includes recognizing phishing emails, adhering to campus digital privacy regulations, and using public computers and equipment responsibly.
By mastering responsible digital practices in school, students are better prepared to handle the complexities of the digital landscape once they enter the workforce. This training ensures they can engage professionally online, safeguard sensitive data, and contribute positively to their digital communities.
7. Make the Learning Experience Fun for Students
Students interact with different technology outside the classroom daily, which means bringing it into their learning environment can make education more dynamic and enjoyable.
Research indicates that incorporating fun into learning boosts student engagement. A study at Archbishop Williams High School and the Technical University of Denmark found that 97% of 149 students felt gamified simulations made the content more engaging.
Here are some exciting ways to integrate technology into classroom activities:
Educational Games and Quizzes
Use educational apps, websites, and interactive games and quizzes to make learning fun and competitive. Apps like Duolingo use gamified learning techniques (e.g., a scoring system for passing levels or hitting milestones) to further reinforce the subject matter.
Online Polls and Surveys
Implement online polling and survey tools to collect student feedback, conduct class surveys, or spark discussions. This promotes active participation and gives students a voice.
Coding and Programming
Introduce coding through educational platforms and apps that offer game-based tutorials. Students can learn coding basics and create simple programs or animations, applying their skills in a hands-on way.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Use AR and VR technologies to create immersive learning experiences. Students can explore historical sites, dissect virtual organisms, or visualize complex concepts in 3D, enhancing their understanding through interactive visuals.
Is Technology Making a Difference in Your Classrooms?
By harnessing the power of additional, cutting-edge technology in the classroom, instructors and institutions can bolster student success through enriched learning.
More tech is a gateway to more informed, data-driven decision-making for both students and teachers. From providing meaningful feedback and implementing positive changes to searching for credible information and critically evaluating sources, you play a pivotal role in preparing them for graduation and, down the road, the modern workplace.
By embracing the practices outlined in this blog post, you’ll equip students with the tools they need for a successful future. The deeper and more refined your students’ skills and knowledge are, the better positioned they will be to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
Learn How to Elevate Student Experience With Explorance’s Next-gen Feedback Analytics