“Technology” Just a buzz word or a genuine need of the education industry

Digital platforms like SMART Boards have been introduced into classrooms years ago. Recently, MOOCs such as Coursera radically changed the definition of a classroom by moving entire classrooms into a digital format, increasing the accessibility to top professors and subjects.

Innovation can also be extended to intoductory courses. 101 courses are courses where students learn new subjects, discover interests and map out their study plans. They provide students with a foundation which can be used to develop expertise in their chosen field. 101s are usually delivered in a simple approach which is understandable to most people due to the basic nature of the subject matter presented. Students themselves must choose when and how to connect with TAs, professors, and advisors to overcome difficult concepts, identify potential further interest and find successful techniques that enable them to succeed faster. How can we change the way students interact with materials to make them better, faster learners? How do we give students better, consistent feedback on progress? These are the issues that technology can help overcome.

Currently, MOOCs are addressing market, content and feedback issues from a classroom format persepctive. Adaptive learning tools are tackling studying and information delivery to assist students' understanding of material, testing and delivering the right content and questions along the way. Spaced repetition, in conjunction with high-quality content, will improve fact-based learning. Before we know it, textbooks might no longer exist and educators will be able to focus on teaching the highest value content, with students using technology to master basic facts and know where they stand. As technology continues to mesh with higher education and address some of the challenges at play, more students will have access to the amazing research and brilliant minds that higher education has to offer.