Leveraging Technology to Achieve Teaching Goals

While some may have previously viewed technology in the classroom as a distraction, recent studies indicate that the integration of specific EdTech tools can both close achievement gaps and improve learning, particularly with students that are at risk of dropping out.

According to a 2014 study by the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education(SCOPE), 56% of teachers in high-poverty schools indicated that a lack of access to technology was a challenge in their classroom. Multimedia, particularly through a combination of multiple-choice and essay-based questions throughout lecture, can improve student retention over time.

"Significant gains in achievement and engagement can occur for underserved students in learning environments characterized by computer use that engages students in interactive learning that offers multiple representations of ideas and realtime digital feedback."

Within the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, attendance and participation are vital to student success.  Students are expected to attend class every day just as they would at their future place of employment. Management professor Dr. Katie Pritchett appreciates these attendance expectations, yet also believes in the importance in defining the difference between simple attendance and genuine engagement.  

Adding technology to an existing curriculum can have tremendous benefits for both teachers and students. When used appropriately, online resources can increase student engagement, develop critical thinking skills, and help students collaborate more with their peers.

While the term “lecture” can have a negative connotation in many educational circles, it remains an effective and efficient way to transmit knowledge from one expert to a room full of students within the confines of a one hour period. Luckily, the traditional lecture format is evolving to include a few techniques that can maximize the amount of content retained and increase the attention span of the modern student.