Is Tech Leaving Higher Education Behind?
There is no denying that higher education technology is a huge business, and it is getting bigger every day. When you dive further into this, you will discover that most edtech businesses are not focused on the student or the instructor. How is this possible when students and instructors are the ones who utilize technology daily? Unfortunately, these businesses care more about what their executives and decision-makers believe. People who embrace technology are completely cut off from the process. This article will look at how educational technology businesses may avoid falling behind in higher education (professors and students).
How the Learners/Educators End Up Getting Left Out
The students are at the base of the education pyramid, while all executives and policy-makers are at the pinnacle. The process of acquiring new technology begins at the top of the pyramid, with the option to either embrace a product or continue looking. If the system is implemented, instructors, administrators, and maybe students will be given access to it. This is generally where it stops since instructors are expected to use what they have because feedback is rarely requested.
Learners are placed at the pyramid’s base, paying their money and having no voice. When choices are made, they are frequently designed to restrict how professors teach students rather than to focus on building a healthy learning environment for students. Unfortunately, these technological businesses treat learners as statistics and data instead of being treated as persons.
How Education Tech Companies Can become Student-Centered
Companies that provide educational technology must begin from inside and shift their entire approach. Rather than designing goods with administrators in mind, companies should ensure that their technology is developed by considering students and academics. A fantastic method to achieve this is beta testing with professors and students from various institutions. Ensure that the testing takes place at colleges that are likely to buy your items in the future.
Ensure you get feedback and that you pay attention to it! Students and teachers need technology in their classrooms that will hold their attention and make learning enjoyable and efficient. Consequently, students will receive better grades, higher retention rates, and more enrolment. Taking a more student-focused approach can help you generate more money in the long run since your product will create good change, which will please the university administration.
What did we overlook?