Embracing Learning Technologies: Belonging, Engagement, Success!

Community and connection are deeply rooted in our nature. Humanizing education is critical to activating intuition, discipline, and maturity, leading to self-agency and global citizenship.

In an age where technology makes education accessible in so many formats, from YouTube to the classroom, it is belonging that tips the balance in favor of lifelong learning and success. Technology is a tool that can be used to foster belonging, success, and engagement. While most students aren’t digital natives, they use technology and apps for self-agency and community. This familiarity can be leveraged to increase the connection between the course material, the instructor, and their peers. Deeper learning happens when learners feel confident and have an engaging platform to study, apply, and reflect within a welcoming community. This, in turn, will increase belonging, purpose, and success.

Technology in Higher Education

Throughout the pandemic, using digital tools for education, workplace, and personal learning allowed us to connect while inspiring new ways to grow and create. The use of technology in Higher Education continues to evolve from learning management systems (LMS) to artificial intelligence.  As educators, one of the most meaningful questions we have to ask ourselves as more technologies become available is, does this help my students? For this reason, some of us need to be pragmatists or conservatives when adopting new technologies, while others may be techies and visionaries ready to try it out.  Careful consideration of the user interface, distraction quotient, cost, and available features is a worthwhile endeavor to ensure success for both the instructor and students. When the match of technology and course material is a fit, the institution, instructor, and student benefit leading to better outcomes and course completion.