What happens when you combine education and technology? That’s right, Edtech. Educational technology is a new surging industry. It’s tossing out the old, traditional ways of lecturing and bringing in new, innovative teaching and learning methods. Let’s find out the ten ways that Edtech is reinventing the college lecture.

Innovative is the new black

Edtech exudes innovation. With an increasingly globalized world and vast new possibilities, why should higher education stay grounded in its 1,000-year-old methods? Youth today are learning in an ever-changing world. This can be reflected in the rise of social media use in the past decade alone. Edtech brings innovative learning to the traditional setting of big lecture halls.

More inclusive

Not only is Edtech more innovative, but it’s more inclusive as well. Students show more active participation and greater inclusion in the lecture’s discussions and activities. Edtech encourages enhanced feedback and discussion.

Helps with teacher workload

Edtech also helps professor’s workload. Without the need to grade and edit essays by hand all evening, professors can dedicate more time to building lesson plans and creating engaging new ways of learning.

Combining theory with practice

One of the most beneficial aspects about Edtech is how it can combine both theory and practice. Students can learn new information and can apply it directly using the various available tools associated with Edtech.

Mobile apps for education

Edtech also utilizes mobile apps to further aid students in learning, organizing, and more. Apps are created to help students take notes, organize class lectures, cite documents, etc. Studies show that 60 percent of students prefer their smartphone to study with. This allows for a flexible learning structure, one in which students can freely access their learning tools at any time, from anywhere.

On-campus to off-campus

Edtech allows learning to move from traditional on-campus settings to off-campus. This makes learning more accessible to both students and professors. They can engage with one another via tools such as Skype or welcome guest lecturers from across the world to speak.

Digital notepads

Students using their own tech to learn. More than 70 percent of students prefer studying with their laptops at home than in the library. This is because the use of tech is more readily available in their homes than in most libraries.

Adapting to the world’s challenges

Let’s face it. Edtech is a booming industry, and it’s no wonder why. The world is adapting to its demands, and technology is the future. Combining them both helps students tackle real-world challenges using the new tools of today.

Engaging peers and professors

Edtech does more than bring innovation and practicality. It also encourages engagement among and between peers and professors. With Edtech, students must participate in discussions to succeed whereas in traditional lectures they can get by with a passing exam grade.

More affordable and accessible

Finally, Edtech makes college more affordable and accessible for students who otherwise cannot attend normal college courses. Whether due to financial or personal reasons, Edtech provides accessibility and flexibility. Students are in control of their time and learning pace.

So do these ten ways show how Edtech is reinventing the college lecture? While Edtech is an increasingly growing industry, there is still quite a long way to go before higher education takes on a whole new meaning.