Getting Students to Engage with Technology in the Classroom · choice exams (1). Rather than focusing on these reductive strategies that leave students behind, some educators are

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

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“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

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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.

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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

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www.devmynd.com

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Chicago, IL 60647

773.492.0209

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