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E D U C A T I O N
S E C T O R
Getting Students to Engage with Technology in the Classroom F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W
Technology has changed nearly every industry, and
education is no exception. Within in the last decade, there
have been many new and specific programs, apps, and devices designed for the classroom and higher education.
And, they have been implemented somewhat unevenly
throughout different regions and school districts.
Improving the quality of education has always been a top
priority, but simply adding technology into the equation
doesn’t instantly fix the issue.
Introduction
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 2
There is little doubt that technology has
greatly expanded access to education,
especially in higher learning, but there are
still some issues that must be addressed to
significantly improve educational outcomes. A one-size-fits-all approach to education is rarely an effective tactic, and this means that
technology needs to be applied thoughtfully
to ensure these initiatives succeed. Although
many organizations are expanding programs
for technology in education, these products
will only be useful if educators and students
understand how to use them.
With regulation and the sheer size of the
education system, change can be slow. The
Internet has sped up progress in almost
every other industry and although software
and applications have been designed with
educational goals in mind, decision-makers
need to ensure they aren’t reproducing old-
fashioned computer labs. Newer programs
have far more potential.
Despite some kinks that are still being worked
out as more school districts and colleges
implement new technology, there are
undeniable benefits to incorporating it. Trusting students with technology helps empower
them and can make learning more engaging.
Traditional higher education does not always
function for working students, so technology
makes education more accessible. Education
is a complex area, but it can be significantly improved with the help of technology as long
as it’s implemented with consideration for the
problems it is intended to solve.
I N T H I S W H I T E P A P E R ,
W E T A K E A L O O K A T :
• How a one-size-fits all approach tends to marginalize
students
• How technology products are
only as good as the person
teaching them
• Trusting students with
technology empowers them
• Traditional higher education
as to how it relates to working
students
Introduction
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 3
Avoid “One-Size-Fits-All”
Although many education reforms have focused on
test results, these approaches may not be effective
for all students. In a K-12 environment, educators are
often still stuck on the instructive method of teaching,
which dictates that students should approach problems
a particular way to reach a single result. In a higher
education setting, this may show up as students being
expected to take the course material from a combination
of lectures and textbook reading to prepare for multiple-
choice exams (1).
Rather than focusing on these reductive strategies that leave students
behind, some educators are shifting to a more student-centric approach
of differentiated learning. In fact, personalized learning has the greatest
potential for prompting transformation in education. Traditional classroom
methods focused on how problems were solved rather than why. There
are seven primary styles of learning—aural, verbal, physical, visual, solitary,
social, and logical—and only verbal learners are accommodated by
traditional approaches. Hands-on learning, group work, and learning
through sound and images helps include more students who prefer
different styles.
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 4
Avoid “One-Size-Fits-All”
“Direct instruction is very ill-
suited to a world characterized
by change. It has been endlessly
observed that many or most of the
jobs that students today will hold
when they join the workforce don’t
exist today. It is imperative then that
we foster instruction that allows
students to learn how to think,
communicate, and collaborate
effectively.”
- Blake Thomas, eSpark Learning
Current approaches to education don’t
address dynamism, adaptability, interaction,
responsiveness, and diversity. All these skills
will be crucial for modern students as they
move on to the workplace. Technology can
support and enhance development of these
skills. While it may not be possible under
current standards, teachers may be able to
create individualized curriculum based on
students’ needs when they each have their own
classroom devices. Current programs present
each student with the same lesson, but adjust
to their reading levels.
Not only does student-centered learning boost
critical reasoning skills, but these strategies can
help close the opportunity gap for underserved
students. One-size-fits-all approaches, in addition to missing educational objectives,
can take culture away from minorities. Because
students learn at different paces and in different
ways, a standardized curriculum can unwittingly
teach students that they aren’t good at certain
things, which can lead to disengagement.
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W5
According to a study from the American
Institutes for Research and Nellie Mae
Education Foundation, students in classrooms
with differentiated approaches to learning
had better outcomes in math (2), traditionally
a subject students struggle with. Rather than
simply learning how to solve equations,
students learned how to apply real problem-
solving skills.
Many areas face inequity of access to
education, which can significantly impact students’ learning. Some regions have
underfunded public schools, or students may
have inadequate support at home. Students
who are interested in technology may not
have the resources at school to develop these
critical skills. Technology can level the playing
field, especially because the cost of connected devices continues to drop, making them more
accessible for a larger number of people.
Technology helps close the opportunity gaps
and accommodate students with different
styles of learning if because it can help
classrooms become more student-centric.
Even in schools that blend academics with
workplace training that serve a majority of
black and Latino students (3), incorporating
technology can substantially boost educational
outcomes. Students in these school districts
had better test scores, higher graduation rates,
and a higher level of completion of courses
that would make them eligible for admission
in state schools. Some of the boost was
accomplished with online learning programs,
which improved student engagement.
Avoid “One-Size-Fits-All”
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 6
A product is only as good as an
educator makes it
Of course, technology isn’t the ultimate solution to all
problems in education. Implementing technology for
the sake of technology may not deliver the return on
investment that educators want. Technological systems are
just tools, and they are only as effective as the pedagogy
lesson plans behind it. Often, educators use the
technological revolution as a justification for the necessity of bringing these new systems into the classroom without
having specific goals in mind.
Many educators find it harder to reach modern students and see technology as a way to open the door. Yet one of the biggest
misconceptions when implementing technology into the class, especially
in K-12, is viewing students as digital natives and relying too heavily on
technology. Many educators find it harder to reach modern students and see technology as a way to open the door. However, handing them
devices and expecting students to do the rest of the work is rarely
effective. Educators need to have an understanding of how these systems
work as well (4).
In addition to the lack of knowledge about new technology, educators
can have distrust of new developments. Technology adaptation is often
seen as being in the same category as privatization of education, for-profit charter schools, and vouchers. Implementation is complicated because
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 7
many parents and other stakeholders feel
that the current educational model is out of
touch with the needs of the modern world.
Although today’s students have grown up with
mobile devices and the Internet, they still need
structured lessons that are supplemented by
technology. However, the sheer number of
tools that have popped up in the last few years
has made it overwhelming for decision-makers.
Some schools give students tablets or laptops,
but just handing over a device doesn’t create
a meaningful change. The method of teaching
rather than the medium is what matters most.
Some skills are best taught with a traditional
approach. For example, whiteboards are still a
common and effective tool in many classrooms.
Other types of learning are well suited for
online learning. Critical thinking and self-
regulation are considered far more relevant
skills in today’s world, and education needs to
prepare students. However, it isn’t just about
meeting the student’s needs. Although there
are a variety of solutions on the market today,
teachers need to be served by technology in
the classroom or it won’t succeed. Programs
that benefit students may not always be suited to what would make educators’ lives easier.
“Well-designed platforms tend to solve
administrative headaches for educators,
those saving them time,” said Josh Leven
of NoRedInk. “Curriculum offerings tend to
live somewhere on a spectrum from entirely
student-guided, to entirely directed by the
teacher. As an industry, I think we’re learning
that in order to get the best adoption, it’s
important for teachers to have some control
over what students are doing and how
long that activity will require. Teachers also
appreciate transparency into those student
activities: usage metrics, student performance,
mastery scores, etc. In addition, it’s helpful
to give teachers something they can use as a
grade.”
Ultimately for technology in the classroom to
be successful and boost educational outcomes,
educators must consider the problems they
need to solve while implementing new systems.
Technology needs to be part of the lesson
planning process, rather than being treated as
a separate entity. The best classroom tech tools
bring people together rather than placing the
bulk of the responsibility of learning on the
individual.
“Well-designed platforms tend to
solve administrative headaches for
educators, thus saving them time.”
-Josh Leven, CEO, NoRedInk
A product is only as good as an educator makes it
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 8
A product is only as good as an educator makes it
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 9
Despite the important considerations when initially
implementing technology in the classroom, it undeniably
has many benefits for students and educators alike. Since students have different styles of learning, technology
can make classroom learning more fun, interactive, and
engaging. This is one of the benefits of technology being so familiar to today’s students: Tablets and computers can
help students grasp course material more quickly than
workbooks and lectures.
In addition to allowing for different learning styles, technology creates
space for emotional and social learning. Using programs to teach
these crucial skills from an early age will better prepare students for the
challenges they will face in real life. Learning new skills through these
programs and applications can help students take a more active role
in their education. In higher education settings, students may be more
empowered through the accessibility created by the internet.
Technology in the classroom can have benefits for educators as well. Connected software makes it easier for teachers to track student
achievements and identify if certain initiatives are effective (5). These
programs can help them determine if their lesson plans and teaching
strategies are having the desired effect on student outcomes. The
connectedness of the internet has made some educators feel less like
they are working in a vacuum.
Trust Students
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 1 0
“Prior to 2010 or so, the most
innovative teachers lived
on islands in their building,
usually working in solitude,”
said Martin Moran of Bennett
Day. “Social media has allowed
for teachers to collaborate
virtually with one another, so
the ‘most innovative teacher
in the building’ now has peers
with whom to take their ideas
and advance their pedagogy.”
Schools are facing a significant challenge of clearly defining their value proposition with the accessibility of information online
in other places. Before the internet, schools
and libraries were the main places to gain
knowledge, but today it’s much easier for
people to teach themselves these days.
Because of this, schools need to emphasize
their importance and find ways to create new experiences. Technology can help alleviate
some of this challenge by and making learning
more interactive and engaging, rather than
just the dissemination of information. In
addition, these platforms can be empowering
for teachers by removing because they help
remove some of the manual administrative
tasks from their days.
Trust Students
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 1 1
Traditional Higher Ed is Broken for Working Students
One of the issues with streamlining technology adoption
throughout the education system is the stark contrast
between K-12 and higher education. Both are heavily
regulated and funded by the government, so change can
be slow. However, in the gradual shift toward technology
has not been enough to keep up with the dramatic
change in the needs of working college students.
With the current cost of higher education and the necessity of a degree
for many higher-paying positions, a large number of college students
need to work while going to school to be able to afford tuition. In fact, the
traditional college experience of living on campus and attending school
full-time is unattainable for many people. Some students may have to take
time off to work and save money to afford college, and this can decrease
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 1 2
Traditional Higher Ed is Broken for Working Students
“Schools used to be the place
you would go to obtain
information and knowledge,
but we now have that
information in our pockets,”
says Moran. “So schools need
to now rethink why they exist
in the first place and what
makes the experience of school
something that has value
outside of the dissemination of
information. If schools don’t
figure this out and/or continue
to present themselves as the
only place to get information,
more and more people will opt
out of the experience.”
Fortunately, technology has opened doors for
college students that didn’t exist in the past.
Many universities often courses or even whole
degree programs that are fully online. Not
only does this allow students in other regions
to attend, but it accommodates busy working
students who may need to view lectures and
do assignments at times that fit with a full-time work schedule. Even for students attending
local institutions, online courses save them
the hassle of commuting, which can also help
them save more money. Rather than trying
to find a job with flexible hours to go to class at specific times, online students can work through lessons whenever it fits their schedules. Although many colleges and universities offer
evening courses for working or adult students,
this can still be a challenge for people with
demanding full-time jobs.
Just a few years ago, these capabilities didn’t
exist and students who wanted to pursue
higher education often had to choose between
taking out loans and going into debt for the
sake of a degree or foregoing higher education
and facing the potential of work that didn’t pay
as well. Because of the increased accessibility
and comparative affordability of online
education, students are more likely to pursue
higher education and obtain their degrees.
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 1 3
Conclusion
Technology will likely occupy a growing space and
relevance in the education field, which will mean decision-makers need to consider the best ways to implement
it. Any new systems must be designed and utilized
with students in mind, and educators must have a full
understanding of the functionality.
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 1 4
In cases with a top-down approach of reaching
out to administrators first, the school system needs to make sure not to ignore teacher
buy-in, since they are the ones who will be
putting the solutions to work. If schools are
implementing solutions teachers will never
use, the technology won’t deliver a return
on investment. Districts may decide to scrap
programs that aren’t being used, which can
hinder the progress of technology in education.
To make the best use of platforms, school
districts may need to consider making it part of
teachers’ professional development to ensure
the system is being used and educators are
comfortable with it.
Technology in the classroom should be
scalable to specific needs to improve the quality of education students receive. With
new developments in artificial intelligence and
Conclusion
virtual reality, technology has the potential
to continue revolutionizing the educational
landscape. There is little doubt about the
possibilities, and it may eventually help usher
in major changes,even bring changes such as
a shift away from the nine 45-minute periods
school day schedule. Traditional practices like
these do. The current structure does not allow
for sustained inquiry.
Because education technology is as
complicated as it is beneficial, decision-makers can increase their chances of success
by partnering with a custom product software
developer like DevMynd. It can ensure that
implementation goes smoothly, educators
meet their goals, and students are engaged
and getting value from the software.
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 1 5
References1. https://www.whitbyschool.org/passionforlearning/differentiated-learning-why-one-size-fits-all-doesnt-work-in-education
2. http://www.air.org/resource/close-look-student-centered-math-teaching
3. http://hechingerreport.org/how-scrapping-the-one-size-fits-all-education-defeats-inequity/
4. https://www.aft.org/ae/spring2016/debruyckere-kirschner-and-hulshof
5. https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/five-ways-teachers-can-use-technology-to-help-students/
6. https://medium.com/@lukeshepard/three-steps-to-strengthen-your-education-product-8e33a54bfb35
F O U R T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W 1 6
C O N T A C T U S
www.devmynd.com
2035 W Wabansia Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773.492.0209
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