Three Ways Higher-Ed Learning Isn't what it Used to Be

Higher education these days is still synonymous with expensive textbooks, lectures, and slideshow presentations. Now, though, more and more schools are "teaching with technology:" incorporating new technological tools that benefit students inside and outside the classroom. If you graduated college ten or more years ago, you'd probably think the current curriculums bear little semblance to what you remember. Here are a few examples of ways that college classrooms are getting futuristic.

Video Lectures and Conferencing

Not only can you take entire courses online, but you can make use of video recording technology, too. For online courses, some professors will upload videos of themselves giving a lecture, which is somewhat more engaging than reading the content on your own time. For other courses, many schools offer platforms on which students can video chat with one another in order to work on and create material for group projects.

Classroom Management Software

Gone are the days of losing the notes you need for your homework and not having your classmates' contact information if you want to start a study group. Classroom management software not only enables professors to create lesson plans and manage and post students' grades, but it also allows everyone in the class to access a cloud system to which class reference materials can be uploaded. Students can also start discussions on class-wide forums if they want to get together or simply have a question regarding the coursework. Professors can even share computer screens to show students how a problem is solved.

Digital Portfolios

It's becoming more and more commonplace for students to generate digital portfolios of their work, whether they're majoring in painting, creative writing, or graphic design. A digital portfolio is like a student's unique website upon which they can post a bio, discuss their inspiration, keep track of progress, and simply show off their work. It's becoming typical for future employers to ask students for their website address, and some schools even hold classes or workshops to teach students how to create them.

How are you incorporating technology into your higher education classroom? Would you say it's beneficial or distracting?