Higher education always has time for the right technology

With the April 24 release of the long-anticipated Apple Watch, the world welcomes the latest addition to the ranks of wearable technology.

The long-term popularity of wearable technologies remains to be seen, however, it is undeniable that technology holds great promise to improve many facets of our existence - and that list includes the ways we teach and learn.

Since the beginning of the Internet, higher education has worked to find ways to not only use new information technology, but also help our students gain proficiency in it. That work has prompted a number of changes.

At Waubonsee, we have offered online learning opportunities for students since the late 1990s. And today, nearly all of our classes include some type of online learning component, ranging from online grades and syllabi to tutorials and various online class interactions.

And at many community colleges, like at Waubonsee, teams of faculty and staff are constantly on the lookout for new technologies to incorporate into teaching, helping to raise levels of digital literacy among our students, preparing them for the workplaces and society of tomorrow.

Currently, a team of instructional specialists and information technology professionals working under the umbrella of Waubonsee's Technology Lab are investigating the educational possibilities offered by a host of apps and devices, such as streaming TV and media players.

Some faculty members are incorporating the students' own smartphones into classroom instruction in an effort to use technology students are already comfortable with to bolster their learning experiences.

We know, however, that true digital literacy extends beyond merely ensuring students know how to use the Internet, use a smartphone or responsibly manage social media accounts.

Our students must learn how to leverage the technology of today or tomorrow, employing critical thinking to apply appropriate hardware or software to address a specific challenge or opportunity.

Waubonsee faculty, staff and administrators have developed seven graduate courses for faculty through a partnership with Aurora University's Collaborating Academic Partnership Program. One course, Integrating Technology in College Teaching, focuses entirely on exploring new technology and discovering ways to incorporate digital literacy into the classroom.

In addition, Waubonsee's Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology partnered with the Information Technology and Online Learning Departments to open a technology lab. This space provides faculty an environment to experiment with new technology with access to experts who can help them think differently about how to effectively incorporate technology into instruction.

On June 23, we invite you to join us at our Sugar Grove Campus for the Waubonsee Vision 2050 Futures Summit as we explore the ways technology and other trends will impact the future of education and work for all of us. Registration available soon at waubonsee.edu.