Using Technology to Enhance Student Retention Strategies

People rely more on technology to aid their education. This is true whether you’re a student in elementary school or a professional working towards a postgraduate degree.

Internet access is essential at this stage. It allows you to conduct research, communicate with peers and keep your work and notes organized. What role does technology play in your learning and retention? Is technology only good for retention and learning?

Technology and Learning Environments

Computer-assisted Learning (CAL) standards have been applied to more people in more places. What exactly are these standards?

Technology is limitless, but these are the most important categories to explore.

Reviewable and recorded lessons.

Instead of relying on one lecture with a professor and some notes about it, students can capture the entire experience and then review it later at their own pace. Online learning has become so popular because it allows us to share lessons with a wider audience.

Live demonstrations.

You can actually see the volcanoes in action. You can now see more live demonstrations thanks to the internet.
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Interactive tutorials.

We learn best when we do, rather than reading or looking at a diagram aboard. Students can use the technology tools to review lessons and get real-time feedback.

Gamification.

Tech tools allow us to gamify our learning experience. Students can earn badges or rewards for following specific lessons, completing assignments, and earning points based on test performance.

This can be further enhanced by the addition of VR and AR. It will allow individuals to fully immerse themselves in their learning experience.

Practice and accessibility.

To truly absorb something, you must practice it and review it again. Students can now access the practice and review tools they need to retain and learn information with the aid of tablets and other mobile devices.

Personalized experiences.

Some tech tools make it possible for you to create more personalized experiences. You might explore the curriculum in a variety of ways or offer students feedback based on their past performance or engagement with the material.

The Best Benefits of Technology in Learning

Technology can bring many benefits to a learning environment, including:

Engagement at higher levels.

People find the latest technology exciting and interesting. Students will pay more attention when the conditions are right and retain crucial information easier.

Simplicity and the breakdown of complexity.

It can be easier to simplify complex topics using tech tools. This is especially true when you use interactive tutorials or online lessons to guide students through the learning process.

Students can get immediate feedback.

Sometimes tech can give students real-time feedback. Students don’t need to wait for a grade or personal review to get feedback. A machine or algorithm can show them exactly what’s wrong.
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Convenience, accessibility and accessibility.

Learn anywhere and at any time. You can also study when you want.

Permanence, persistence.

Your lessons will last longer if you record them and take better notes.

Individualization.

Some types of technology function like small digital assistants to each student. This allows students who are behind in their studies to receive the help they need, while advanced students can continue to progress unassisted.

Drawbacks to Consider

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider, such as:

Acquisition and integration costs.

Technology can be expensive. It can be difficult to get a tablet into every classroom.

Technical skill gaps.

While the COVID-19 pandemic made education more tech-centric there are still technical skill gaps to be filled. Many of the benefits will be lost if the technology is difficult to use or teachers are unable to incorporate these tools into their teaching.

The rate of change.

Technology is constantly evolving. It’s easy to make obsolete even the most modern and up-to-date organizations if they don’t keep changing.
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Distraction.

Tech can help in learning in many ways but can also distract. Even the most dedicated of people can sometimes be distracted by the entertainment value of their devices.

Excessive dependency.

It can be difficult to learn and pay attention in other situations if you are dependent on technology tools.

Here are some keys to using technology for learning and retention

These tips will help you use technology more effectively in your learning, education, memory retention efforts.

Understanding that “high tech” doesn’t always mean a good thing.

You don’t need “high tech” to help your child get through middle school, or to train your team for business growth. Technology doesn’t have to be the best for every task. In some cases, it can even be a hindrance rather than a help.

Mix and match old and new technology.

You don’t have to rely on technology exclusively for learning. You can mix live demonstrations with recorded lectures or old-fashioned note-taking with the digital organization. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, so try to get the best of each.
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Keep up-to-date

Technology that has been around for years may not be as current as it used to be. Older technology may not look as attractive or as fresh after a while. Keep your technology tools up-to-date if you want to get the most out of them.

Make a plan to eliminate distractions.

Some devices come with parental controls that allow you to restrict access to certain websites and apps. You may also set time limits to limit distractions, which can help reduce the impact on your study time and productivity.

Keep your focus on the individual.

Personalized experiences are essential to learning and retention. You should consider your own needs and the needs of the students that you are teaching. Some will find technology more engaging and accessible than others.
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Be adaptable.

There is no one way to use technology in a learning environment. The tech itself is constantly changing. It’s important for your organization and you to be flexible, adapting your approach as needed.

Technology can be a great tool for learning new skills and keeping students engaged if used correctly. However, it can make learning more difficult if used incorrectly.

It’s important to have a plan in place for how technology will be used in learning environments before you even use it. This will help you produce the learning outcomes that you desire.