How Technology is Reshaping the College Classroom

When we visualize a typical college classroom, we think of a professor conducting a seminar at the front of a large room or small auditorium and students listening attentively from their desks or seats. Although traces of that style are still prevalent within classrooms, the norm is quickly transitioning into a more technological environment. There is still debate as to whether this change is helpful or not, but there is no doubt that it is reshaping typical college classrooms across the world.

Google Drive

Google drive is quickly becoming the go-to online app for students in college. This rather simple application has provided a plethora of benefits for students who have multiple classes with multiple documents for each one. Google Drive allows them to pluck out any given document from the internet for quick and easy use. Students in group projects also rave about how easy it now is to complete their collaborative tasks because this app provides a clear line of communication, mutual access and the ability to alter assignments in seconds.

Learning Management Systems

Learning management systems allow students to do many things that were previously restricted to classrooms. Prior to this technology, a student would have to report to a physical class each day throughout the semester. This would cause many students to either sacrifice working a part-time or full-time job or completely opt out of attending college. A learning management system has provided an online space where students are able to access educational materials online and still obtain credit for that specific class. This technology is quickly redefining what it means to attend a class, and it will no doubt continue to be more prevalent as the years go by.

Virtual Reality

One of the drawbacks to online learning is that it often removes the ability to have a hands-on experience. Well, technology has come to the rescue once again through virtual reality. VR is now allowing professors to conduct an entire hands-on activity via the internet. This technology has provided an enormous opportunity for students to keep taking online courses without having to sacrifice a proper education.

Technology is only beneficial if used correctly; therefore, the debate on this issue must continue. However, attempting to block the use of technology in the classroom is futile. The benefits are clear, the methods are quickly being refined and students will soon come to expect these technological advancements as part of their education.