USDOE Institute of Education Sciences Releases New Report: “Using Technology to Support Postsecondary Student Learning: A Practice Guide for College and University Administrators, Advisors, and Faculty”

Dear Commons Community,

The United States Department of Education/Institute of Education Sciences(IES) released a new report yesterday entitled,  Using Technology to Support Postsecondary Student Learning.  The 104-page report  is based on a meta-analysis of the research on online learning in colleges and universities. The authors of the report were a panel of scholars and practitioners in higher education and staff from Abt Associates of Bethesda, Maryland. Here is a blurb from the announcement.

“This practice guide, developed by the What Works Clearinghouse™ (WWC) in conjunction with an expert panel, focuses on promising uses of technologies associated with improving postsecondary student learning outcomes. It provides higher education instructors, instructional designers, administrators, and other staff with specific recommendations for supporting learning through the effective use of technology.

This practice guide makes five evidence-based recommendations (see below) around how to use technology to support postsecondary learning. Each recommendation includes examples of technologies and how to implement them, advice on how to overcome potential obstacles, and a summary of the research evidence that supports the recommendation.

Practice Recommendations:

  • Use communication and collaboration tools to increase interaction among students and between students and instructors.
  • Use varied, personalized, and readily available digital resources to design and deliver instructional content.
  • Incorporate technology that models and fosters self-regulated learning strategies.
  • Use technology to provide timely and targeted feedback on student performance.
  • Use simulation technologies that help students engage in complex problem-solving.

The research methodology used to gather the evidence for the above followed strictly the protocols established by IES.  As one of the authors of the report, I assure you that anyone interested in the use of technology in postsecondary education will find this guide filled with important insights and suggestions. 

Tony

 

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