Three Uses of Digital Tools to Supplement Engagement and Learning in the College Classroom

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of smartphones, apps, and social media in college students' and instructors' lives, there has been a slow adoption of these digital tools into the classroom. This chapter posits that individuals' online interactions account for a great deal of informal learning and that by integrating these digital tools in our classrooms, instructors can complement and extend the formal learning of their classrooms. Specifically, this chapter offers three ways that technology can assist in the classroom: to promote inclusive participation, to enhance the classroom climate, and to explore and demonstrate course material in an engaging way. To these ends, the authors explore the efficacy of social media sites, Google applications, and GIFs and memes.