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Technology Approaches to Final Papers and Projects

Increasing Student Engagement and Retention Using Social Technologies

ISBN: 978-1-78190-238-7, eISBN: 978-1-78190-239-4

Publication date: 1 November 2012

Abstract

Final research papers are still the preferred method for end-of-term assessment in higher education. However, there is a recent push for a greater increase in digital literacy skills in today’s students. Determining the best way to utilize technology, while keeping an eye dedicated toward the pedagogical purpose, is the ultimate focus of this chapter. The authors of this chapter have endeavored to exhibit how tools such as wikis, blogs, and podcasting were best used in higher education situations to promote learning and expand student digital literacy by providing an alternative to the classic final paper option while fully engaging learners with a multimodal approach to learning. The research discussed has demonstrated that learner-generated knowledge requires a higher order of understanding, and as such, leads to higher levels of learning and longer retention of material. Cooperation and collaboration are now key components of the higher education experience; many of these technical alternatives are designed with built-in collaborative elements.

Keywords

Citation

Whitley-Grassi, N.E. and Hoefler, P. (2012), "Technology Approaches to Final Papers and Projects", Wankel, L.A. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) Increasing Student Engagement and Retention Using Social Technologies (Cutting-Edge Technologies in Higher Education, Vol. 6 Part B), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 211-234. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2044-9968(2012)000006B010

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited