For educators, one of the primary goals faced every day in the classroom is to close the achievement gap between higher-performing students and those that struggle. Technology in the classroom may provide the tools to help bridge that gap. Recent studies have found that the use of technology by qualified instructors offers a solution.

Alliance for Excellent Education Report on Technology Based Learning

In a recent report published by the Alliance for Excellent Education with the help of the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education, technology was found to produce “significant gains in student achievement and boost engagement.” These gains were seen most prominently among at-risk students.

In the report, three key areas were identified as components to using technology-based learning successfully with at-risk students. These were:

  • Creating an interactive learning environment
  • Using technology to explore and create
  • Encouraging a good blend between instructors and technology

Interestingly, it’s those students who are most at risk that tend to lack access to technology, both in the classroom and at home. Those at-risk students who do have access to technology tend to use it for drilling rather than exploring and creating. When more students are given access to technology, and that technology is used effectively by educators, achievement gains will follow.

The Key is Increasing Engagement and Interaction

Why is technology-based learning so effective, particularly for reaching at-risk students? The key to this success may be in the fact that technology in the classroom encourages greater interaction and engagement. This, in turn, helps all students achieve greater learning gains through a sparked interest in learning.  Those who are at risk are encouraged even further by the interactive nature of technology.

Echo360 provides one such platform. The Echo360 Active Learning Platform make it possible to reach more students while increasing engagement, so students achieve greater learning gains while they are encouraged to explore, question and create.