Educational technology (edtech) has transformed the field of education. The internet provides unparalleled access to knowledge and useful digital tools, and both college students and professors use it to improve their classroom experience.
Why Is Edtech Important?
Educational technology allows students to learn in diverse ways. By 2026, experts predict the global digital learning market to reach nearly $400 billion in value. Edtech encompasses the use of computer hardware and software that facilitate teaching. Here are some of its benefits:
- Promoting different learning methods: Students can learn by taking digital notes, using audio recording software, drawing on a tablet or watching videos on a topic. Having a blend of teaching methods helps ensure everyone absorbs the material.
- Improving career readiness: Edtech can prepare students to get a job when they graduate, and 80% of students see this as the most important aspect of their success.
- Providing better feedback: Digital tools allow students to give their professors feedback during or immediately after a lesson.
- Lowering costs and material use: Students can access textbooks and coursework online, saving paper and making it easier for professors to stay organized.
Edtech Tools to Use in College
These digital resources make it easier to study, take notes and learn new material.
Google Drive
Most people are familiar with Google Drive. It’s a valuable edtech tool for securely storing up to two terabytes of documents, photos and videos in one convenient location in the cloud.
Google Drive’s AI features allow students to look up files using natural language or by describing the content of photos. Students can change the privacy settings on individual documents to enable file sharing, allowing for collaborative editing on group projects.
Drops
Language learning can feel like a chore, but the Drops app turns it into a game. Unlike many other apps that focus on translations or grammar skills, Drops only teaches vocabulary, and it uses drawings to convey each subject.
Students can choose from numerous topics to learn about what interests them the most. This feature helps the app integrate seamlessly into lessons about biology, math, beginner phrases and more. Drops also features spelling and pronunciation lessons.
Coursera
Many high-level universities and companies offer their classes online through Coursera. Anyone can take classes on the site and learn topics like digital marketing, contact tracing, fashion or biology.
Coursera even offers complete master’s degree programs in innovation and entrepreneurship, accounting, computer science and business administration. It also has courses that lead to professional certifications. Because most of its courses are on-demand, students can complete them at whatever pace fits their schedule.
Microsoft Lens
Copying notes from a textbook — even when typing — can be a tedious process. Microsoft Lens allows users to take a photo of handwritten or typed text and convert it into a digital document, saving students’ time and hand muscles.
Microsoft Lens currently only supports English text, but it can translate converted documents into over 30 languages. It can also convert files to PDFs and other formats, allow annotations and let users change the layout of their documents.
Khan Academy
Covering over 5,000 diverse topics, Khan Academy offers courses and practice exams from K-12 to early college curricula. Students can go over the material at their own pace.
Khan Academy works great even as a standalone learning platform, but it really shines when it comes to supplementing a college student’s classes. Users can fill in the gaps in their knowledge or start learning about a subject before class starts. Thanks to donations, the site is free to use and has no ads.
TED Talks
A staple of college courses, TED Talks — which students can access on YouTube, podcast platforms or the TED website — cover every topic imaginable. Experts deliver bite-sized speeches on engineering, social skills, medicine, psychology and more.
The best part is that the presentations are free for anyone to enjoy. They make a great adjunct to college lectures and reading textbooks.
Microsoft OneNote
Taking notes is a central part of attending college. OneNote lets students build checklists, record audio, create drawings and sort their notes into sections and pages. It has an annotation feature compatible with a drawing stylus or finger.
Plus, students can share their notes with other people, which is useful when somebody misses class or needs a different perspective on a lecture. OneNote also lets students add files like PDFs and PowerPoint presentations directly into their notes.
Blueprint Test Preparation, LLC
For students preparing for the MCAT, LSAT or other medical and law school exams, Blueprint is a great resource. It features over 100 online classes, tutoring and test prep content to help students excel in their chosen field. Blueprint screens its professors to ensure they’re experts on the subject matter. The company also updates its material constantly to keep up with the latest changes.
Edtech Is the Future of Learning
Classrooms aren’t switching back to chalkboards any time soon. Digital tools have given students and teachers newfound abilities, allowing for easier learning while using fewer resources. Educational technology will continue to play a pivotal role in the classroom setting for students of all ages.