4 Universities Innovating in the EdTech World

coding

4 Universities Innovating in the EdTech World first appeared on Edcetera on January 23, 2014.
By: Claire Schillings
With learning technology becoming increasingly more advanced, universities across the country are discovering new and creative ways to implement digital solutions in the classroom. Here are 4 universities using education technology to inspire innovation and education on campus.
1. Brown University’s Wikipedia Edit-a-Thons
Wikipedia-logo
While many academics discredit Wikipedia as an accurate source of information, Brown University turned this notion on its head. In a recent, highly publicized event, Brown faculty held an Edit-a-Thon focused on improving the representation of women in science on the site. Students were given guidance on how to make Wikipedia edits stick, and in turn, the students were able to contribute research to a widely read research source.
2. Duke University’s Crowdsourced Curriculum
Crowdsourcing Duke
Bertolt Brecht’s theory of the media was the cornerstone for Duke University professor Michael Ryan’s Humanities on Demand: Narratives Gone Viral course. To garner feedback from students, Ryan set up a site that allowed any Duke undergraduate to submit suggestions for class materials. The risk paid off, and hundreds of students submitted creative ideas for courses he never expected: “It certainly enriched the course, because there were a number of things chosen that were valuable pieces, interesting pieces, that I would have never come across.”
3. Kansas State’s Telepresence
Girl-on-computer-Featured
With online education growing more popular by the day, it can be tough to fit in valuable face-to-face time between students and professors. For several years, Kansas State University has conducted its entire Security Studies program via a system called telepresence, which broadcasts lectures in video-equipped classrooms. With this impressive innovation, students in other cities and at other campuses can gain precious in-person access to lectures, allowing them a full educational experience.
4. Missouri University’s Lecture Hall Flip
Online Teaching
Several major campuses of Missouri University are using technology to insert personal and adaptive learning opportunities into their large-enrollment courses in order to boost learning outcomes and budget carefully. According to interesting research from NCAT, students, especially those less prepared for college, perform better in more structured environment where they are able to interact with immersive software independently (in contrast with the traditional method of listening to lectures in large halls). Taking this into consideration, Missouri University flipped the lecture hall format and redesigned their course structure, partnering with Pearson’s MyLab to provide the best possible learning experience for its students.
Did we miss your university’s impressive tech innovation? Let us know in the comments below!

Guest Author

Getting Smart loves its varied and ranging staff of guest contributors. From edleaders, educators and students to business leaders, tech experts and researchers we are committed to finding diverse voices that highlight the cutting edge of learning.

Discover the latest in learning innovations

Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.