With every new iteration of technology, we create generations of students whose primary media "language" for learning and interacting with the world is different than the generation before it. In the last five years, technologies like online homework, personalized learning software, mobile devices, learning analytics, OER, and MOOCs have been chipping away at the corners of higher education and traditional teaching. Technology-enhanced learning is here to stay and it will alter formal education, like it or not. This is a guide to navigating and thriving in this new world and preparing yourself and students for what is to come.

1. Surviving (and Thriving)
in the Age of
Technology-Enhanced
Teaching
Maria H. Andersen, Ph.D.
Director of Learning & Innovation at Area9

2. Maria H. Andersen
10 years teaching math and
chemistry at Muskegon
Community College
M.S. Mathematics
Ph.D. Higher Ed Leadership
Award-winning Game Designer
Director Learning &
Research, Canvas
Director Learning & Innovation,
Area9

3. I design adaptive learning
software with a focus on STEM
subjects, student
experience, and game design.
Contact Info
e: busynessgirl@gmail.com
t: @busynessgirl
w: busynessgirl.com

16. learn.canvas.net/courses/1

17. What happens next?
???

18. “Anyone that can be replaced by a
computer should be.”
- Arthur C. Clarke

19. [four predictions for
the age of technologyenhanced learning]

20. (1) Learning that involves information
transfer will be replaced by technology.

21. (1) Learning that involves information
transfer will be replaced by technology.

22. So we see emergence of sites that
provide free lessons and lectures.

23. (2) Any repetitive assessment or
learning task that can be replaced by
a computer will be.

24. Thus follows the emergence of services
that provide homework and learning
experiences.

25. (3) Any computerized course that is
cheaper and results in equal or better
learning outcomes for students will
be delivered that way.

26. And so … the emergence of free
courses, certificates, and degrees.

27. The “teacher replacement”
technologies we see are still a view
of the world through
Silicon-Valley tinted glasses…

28. Or maybe it’s the
Lake Wobegon of Silicon Valley…
Where all the learners are
motivated, everyone has
Internet, and the only thing
standing between a student and
their success is affordable
access.

29. (4) The only technology that will improve
learning outcomes for the majority of
students* is that the technology that
begins to mimic a tutor-student
relationship.
*especially in developmental education

30. And now, the players in the
Personalized Learning space.

31. [reflection]
Think about some time when you had a
really great learning experience.
What made it great?

32. You had to think about new perspectives
You got individual attention
You were challenged just right
It was relevant to my life/work
You were encouraged by someone
The experience was well-structured
The instructor was a great explainer
The instructor was a great storyteller
The instructor was passionate
It was fun 

33. Good coaches do these things
Communicating
Questioning
Challenging
Accountability
Encouraging
Showing new perspectives
Monitoring

34. Paradigm shift:
Educators should shift
from the role of an
instructor to the role of
a learning coach.

35. “But I do all of those things,
my class is engaging for all the students.
It is a very interactive class.”

37. Math classroom mapping research
from Vilma Mesa,
University of Michigan
Warning: These will haunt you.

38. Suppose you are brave enough to let
someone else make a detailed
observation of the interactions in your
classroom, what would they find?

42. “But I do all of those things,
my class is engaging for all the
students me. It is a very interactive
class for me and about 3 students.”

43. (1) Learning that involves information
transfer will be replaced by technology.
Let it.

48. (2) Any repetitive assessment or
learning task that can be replaced by a
computer will be.
Embrace it. Love it.

49. A good coach
monitors the stats
and provides
appropriate
interventions.

50. Class statistics

51. Student Statistics

52. Participation Statistics

53. Example: Elaboration
1 point
2 points
Summarize the Problem
Show all the work & answer the question
1 point
1 point
Correctness
Elaboration
- Show a different way to solve
- Show how to check the answer and explain
why it “checks”
- Find something else to do with the problem
Ask for 2 problems per section
Grade 1 problem for 5 points

54. Example: Little Bigs
5 minutes, 20 slides
15 seconds autoadvance

55. (3) Any computerized course that is
cheaper and results in equal or better
learning outcomes for students will
be delivered that way.
Create better learning
experiences for students.

56. When you think of your past math
classes, what do you think about?

58. Create a better
learning experience.

62. Be the person learners want to
be accountable to.
Add more “Social Spice”

63. Show relevance.
Never in human history has
there been such easy access
to data and information.

64. Need to be impressed?
Go to WolframAlpha.com and
type “Facebook Report”

65. (4) The only technology that will improve
learning outcomes for the majority of
students* is that the technology that
begins to mimic a tutor-student
relationship.
Abandon one-size-fits-all software.*
*when it becomes available and is good enough

66. Pay attention.
Wait for it.
Ask for it.

67. No matter how good the software,
learners will still need the the coach,
because we/they are human.

68. “Anyone that can be replaced by a
computer should be.”
- Arthur C. Clarke

69. Here’s a bit of
unsolicited advice…

70. Stop wasting time doing
things that a computer
(or robot) can do better.

71. Let the technology
do what it’s
supposed to do.
Specialize on being
a human instead.

72. [leave it to the next generation to
worry about being replaced by
artificial intelligence]

73. Any questions?
Contact info:
busynessgirl@gmail.com
Twitter: @busynessgirl
busynessgirl.com