Practical Applications of Educational Technologies

In today's higher education landscape, you've all sat through those tech-focused faculty meetings. You know the ones—where someone enthusiastically demonstrates a shiny new learning platform that promises to revolutionize your classroom, only to leave you wondering, "But how does this actually help my students learn Medieval Literature/Quantum Physics/Architectural Design?"

As educators, you're not opposed to technology—far from it. But the gap between theoretical tech benefits and practical classroom application often feels wider than the distance between the faculty parking lot and your office (which, at many campuses, is saying something).

Small Tech Changes, Significant Learning Impacts

The most effective technological interventions aren't necessarily the most sophisticated. Consider these approaches:

• Structured discussion boards with clear prompts and required peer responses have transformed online discussions from obligatory check-boxes to genuine knowledge-building spaces.
• Interactive simulations in STEM fields allow students to visualize abstract concepts. Dr. Aaron Sholders' biochemistry students showed improved understanding of molecular structures after working with basic modeling software that let them manipulate 3D representations.
• Adaptive Learning tools like Learnosity, an education tech company, for building assessments. Great River Learning partners with Learnosity to integrate a variety of interactive question types as well as Adaptive Assessments into our publications. Through this tool, items presented to students during assessments are chosen dynamically based on their performance on previous questions.

The Technology-Pedagogy Connection

The key question isn't "What technology should I use?" but rather "What learning problem am I trying to solve?" When you work with a Project Development Coordinator at Great River Learning, you'll be prompted to think through your pedagogical choices and be offered suggestions on different ed tech tools you can integrate within your Great River Learning publication.

Technology in education isn't about the flashiest new tool—it's about thoughtful application that addresses real learning challenges. Sometimes that means embracing sophisticated platforms; other times, it's about finding simpler technological solutions that allow us to focus on what matters most: our students' learning.

Learn more about Great River Learning at https://grl.pub/explore