Technology for Teaching & Learning
33 Overview of Tech Tools for Teaching
Lauren Weisberg and Dr. Jennifer Parker
Technology has the potential to support student learning in both asynchronous and in-person academic settings. Instructors now have the ability to utilize a plethora of technology tools that are available online for free. Think of a “tech tool” as any digital technology facilitated with a computer or mobile device that supports student learning. Using tech tools in your instruction can provide numerous benefits, such as:
- Increased student engagement
- Authentic learning opportunities
- Increased collaboration (among peers, and between students and their instructors)
- Real-time assessment data
- Active student participation
Which tech tools are ideal for your curriculum? This chapter provides guidelines for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of tech tools and recommends specific tools that can be easily incorporated across curricular areas to support student learning.
Should I Use That Tool?
Before using a tech tool with your students, it’s best to consider whether or not it will meet their needs. These tools can be evaluated for their appropriateness using the following methods: Tool Evaluation Rubric, SAMR Model, Triple E Framework, and/or the Technology Categories for Purposeful Instruction. With several frameworks to assess educational technology in teaching and learning, this section will share frameworks for assessing tools, lesson integration, and purposeful selection.
Evaluation Rubric
The criteria in this rubric can be used to evaluate a tech tool’s strengths and weaknesses. The rubric does not identify a specific threshold that tools must meet in order to be acceptable for use but is rather intended to aid instructors in making well-informed decisions.
Rubric for eLearning Tool Evaluation
| Criteria | Works Well | Serious Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Functionality | •Can accommodate any class size, and ideally form subgroups • Has user-friendly interface •Has a robust support platform (or campus support can help) •Communication allowed through different channels (audio, visual, textual) |
•Restrictive to a limited number of users •Interface is cumbersome, unintuitive, rigid, and inflexible •No tech help or documentation available •Restrictive in terms of communication channels employed |
| Accessibility | •Meets accessibility guidelines •Addresses the needs of diverse users and various capabilities •Does not require what is beyond typically available to students and instructors (comp. w/mic, Internet…) •Can be used for free |
•Fails to meet guidelines, or has no compliance information •Restrictive in meeting the diversity of needs reflective in the student body •Proper use requires equipment investment •Requires a fee or subscription |
| Technical Features | •Can be embedded or fully integrated with the LMS (i.e., accessible via Canvas) •Can be used with any standard, up-to-date system •Works within any Internet browser