There’s no question: technology is shaping learning in universities and other higher education settings. However, some educational institutions face challenges incorporating modern systems into their learning setup, like budget constraints, resistance to change, or the lack of technical expertise among staff. And look, keeping up with tech is a good thing. However, it may be time to look into the basics, like hiring a reliable academic transcription company to help with tech improvements.
In this article, you’ll learn how:
- The COVID-19 pandemic pushed schools to implement online and in-person classes. Technology provides students and faculty instant access to vast information essential for remote viewing.
- Collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace enable students to collaborate easily despite the distance.
- Transcripts can serve as immediate tools for learning in medias res or as supplementary instructional materials after the fact.
How Important Is Technology In Higher Education?
Educational institutions that keep up with the latest tech have a better chance of improving their learning environment. Multiple educational apps and virtual classrooms are shaping how knowledge is passed around. This can also help students prepare for the job market, as schools can connect to businesses and spark ideas that contribute to the overall economy.
However, staying current with the latest technology isn’t just a nice thing to have. It’s standard for schools that want to stay in the race—or win.
As a result, colleges and universities should gear up to handle whatever new challenges come their way. And with the help of tech, they may get a shot at preparing students to thrive in the real world.
Academic Settings Where Modern Tech Is Crucial
Here are some of the many applications of tech in learning:
| Setting | Tech Involved | Explanation |
| Online Learning | Learning Management Systems, video conferencing, digital resources | Technology enables remote learning, facilitates communication, and provides access to various educational materials. |
| Research | Databases, data analysis software, collaborative tools | Modern tech allows for efficient data collection, analysis, and research collaboration, leading to more accurate results. |
| Library Services | Digital catalogs, e-books, online databases | Technology provides students and faculty instant access to vast information and resources, enhancing research capabilities. |
| Classroom Instruction | Interactive whiteboards, multimedia presentations, student response systems | Technology engages students, supports various learning styles, and enables real-time feedback. |
| Laboratory Work | Computer simulations, data acquisition systems, virtual labs | Modern tech allows for safe, cost-effective, and accessible lab experiences and precise data collection and analysis. |
| Accessibility Services | Assistive technologies, text-to-speech software, screen readers | Technology helps create an inclusive learning environment by providing tools and accommodations for students with disabilities. |
How Technology Shapes Learning In Higher Education and Its Future
Given current trends and the widespread availability of the Internet, technology has affected the learning experience in higher education more than anyone could imagine. Below are some of the most impactful ones.
Virtual and Blended Educational Environments
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed colleges to implement online and in-person classes, which set higher education into high gear.
Many educational institutions jumped on the tech trend by investing in new learning technologies like online platforms and video chat tools to keep schools rolling and, this time, faster. Canvas LMS and Google Classroom are great examples.
Online education allows students to learn on their own time, check out course stuff, or chime in on discussions whenever they want; however, this option isn’t ideal for everyone, especially those with shorter attention spans.
Fortunately, hybrid setups blend the best of both worlds: face-to-face teaching with online resources at students’ fingertips. Students can join live sessions or work at their own pace, whatever fits their style.
Digital Platforms for Course Administration and Delivery
Learning management systems like Canvas and Blackboard power higher education’s digital environment. They can be considered the central hub where all the academic action happens.
Professors load these platforms with course materials, homework tasks, etc. Students can grab what they need from the platforms and collaborate on projects or discussions with classmates. Videos and other interactive bits cater to all learners, enhancing the learning experience.
However, the real deal is the data tools that let instructors monitor student performance. They can spot where someone is struggling and give personalized learning advice.
Digital Content and Interactive Materials
Access to learning materials on demand is one of the most significant technologies shaping learning in higher education. Students now have a world of knowledge at their fingertips—e-textbooks, online journals, or massive databases are just a click away.
Many campus libraries have stepped up by partly becoming digital libraries, where students can access virtual collections around the clock, no matter where they are. In addition, learning has been upgraded with multimedia content and online workspaces that make tough topics easier to understand.
The best part is that digital resources are opening doors for more learners by cutting costs and improving convenience.
Collaboration Tools for Interaction
Thanks to platforms like Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace, higher education students can now collaborate on projects or presentations without breaking a sweat.
Distance is also no longer a roadblock. These platforms have features like video calls, screen sharing, real-time document editing, instant messaging, and more.
Institutions can also give students Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented reality (AR) options. With all the fancy advancements, ideas can flow freely in a virtual space as good as in the same room.
Education on the Go With Smartphone and Tablet Learning
Students can now carry their classrooms on their smartphones and access learning materials wherever they are or whenever they want. Schools are catching on to mobile-friendly learning systems and apps that give students, and even educators, more options for remote learning.
You can imagine having a little notification about upcoming deadlines or course content at your fingertips, even without Wi-Fi. However, the learning doesn’t stop there—e-books, podcasts, educational videos, and other content materials are all just a tap away with mobile learning apps.
Many of us spend far too much time on our mobile phones. On average, we pick up our phones at least 144 times in a single day. Therefore, developing educational mobile apps is a smart way to integrate education into our lives, not the other way around.
Academic Transcription Services
Students or educators can now access highly accurate transcripts of academic recordings—whether seminars or other important discussions, even when the subject matter gets tricky. However, it’s important to know that real people—not AI—should transcribe so they capture all field-specific terms without skipping a beat.
Hearing-impaired students will not miss out on lecture material—they’ll now be in the loop. Non-native speakers can breathe easier, too, using transcripts to understand those tough-to-follow talks.
And for everyone else? Transcripts let students scan through lecture content quickly—they work like a charm when studying highly complicated topics.
What’s The Best Transcription Service For Higher Education?
Different providers offer transcription for educational institutions. Let’s talk about the two most common types you’ll find in the market.
AI Transcription
I have to admit: it’s never been easier to do research with AI. And I thought Google was the best thing since the Dewey Decimal System.
However, despite the technology’s unmistakable role in shaping learning in higher education settings, AI transcription does not have the same effect.
AI or automated audio transcription converts audio or video recordings to plain text content using artificial intelligence (AI) or automated speech recognition (ASR) technologies.
This type of transcription leverages AI’s speed and produces lightning-fast audio and video transcription. Additionally, automated transcription software and speech-to-text services are often cheaper than human transcription.
So, what’s the catch?
Well, for all its speed, AI is woefully inaccurate. Any advantages of lecture transcription are rendered moot at that point.
AI transcription work is at the mercy of background noise, overlapping speakers, different accents and dialects, and poor audio file quality. It cannot identify nuance and utilize context to create a more accurate verbatim transcription—things that come naturally to experienced human transcriptionists.
The text comes in an endless stream without punctuation or context. Students may use it for one-off transcription work, but not with anything requiring precision.
For educators and facilitators, though, transcribing audio using ASRs and automated transcription tools is, quite simply, unacceptable.
Unlike with a quick student note from a recorded class, errors in official lecture transcripts can have a negative impact on your students. Errors can be damaging and embarrassing, and information can be warped with a single wrong word. This can be particularly problematic for hard-of-hearing students, as sections of the transcript may make absolutely no sense to them. This can pull them out of focus and cost more time.
Human Transcription
AI may be popular now, but Ditto’s human transcription service is still the gold standard for transcription.
As the name implies, a human handles every step of our transcription process.
Our specialists transcribe, edit, proofread, and polish, all with the sapience and awareness of a fellow human being. This is why human transcription is far more accurate, and that means wasting less time and money editing and modifying flawed transcripts.
Yes, human or manual transcription can be a little more expensive than automated solutions—at the outset, however, it’s well worth it if you don’t have to review and edit your transcripts after receiving them.
Furthermore, human-powered transcription offers many extra services, such as providing timestamps, following grammar and formatting guidelines, and converting complete transcripts to different file formats.
Help Technology Shape Learning In Higher Education With Ditto Transcripts
Maximize the benefits of lecture transcription by enlisting the best service provider in the industry.
Ditto Transcripts guarantees 99% accuracy on all transcription work. Our team of professional transcriptionists can transcribe everything. Whether audio or video recordings of lectures, interviews, or meetings—you name it, we’ll do it with exceptional accuracy. Every transcriptionist we work with is under strict confidentiality agreements, so you can trust that any verbatim transcriptions are secure.
We also offer expanded services, customization options, fast turnaround times, and affordable rates. Contact us today for a free trial.
Ditto Transcripts is a FINRA, HIPAA, and CJIS-compliant, Denver, Colorado-based transcription company that provides fast, accurate, and affordable transcription services to companies and agencies of all industries and sizes. Call (720) 287-3710 today for a free quote, and ask about our free five-day trial.
