REL Northwest is excited to announce the release of a comprehensive toolkit that translates the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide Using Technology to Support Postsecondary Student Learning into actionable resources for instructors, department heads, and administrators.
The toolkit addresses a critical challenge: how to effectively integrate technology and artificial intelligence in ways that genuinely enhance student learning. Concrete tools and professional learning experiences help educators implement five evidence-based recommendations, from increasing student interaction through collaboration tools to using simulations for complex problem-solving.
What's Inside?
Four-Module Professional Learning Course
The toolkit includes all materials needed to host a high quality,16-hour, professional learning course for postsecondary instructors. The customizable course offers four modules, (each with a two-hour synchronous session and two hours asynchronous work), and provides a comprehensive facilitator guide, session plans, slide decks, and supplemental resources. Across the four modules, a facilitator guides participants to build a community of practice while systematically exploring all five practice guide recommendations:
- Module 1: Communication and collaboration tools and simulation technologies
- Module 2: Varied, personalized digital resources for instructional content
- Module 3: Self-regulated learning strategies and timely and targeted feedback
- Module 4: Problem of practice workshop with peer feedback
Instructor Technology Use Survey
A diagnostic survey assesses instructors' current technology use and generates recommendations on where to focus their learning. When used repeatedly, the survey enables instructors to monitor their growth and track progress implementing practice guide recommendations.
Institutional Implementation Guidance
For postsecondary leaders and department heads, the toolkit provides an institutional self-assessment, guidance documents, and planning resources to ensure institutional readiness for technology-enhanced instruction.
The Impact: Voices from Early Implementers
A facilitator captured the essence of the professional learning course: "I feel like this course it's about technology, but it's also about teaching approaches and helping students learn."
Early participants in the professional learning reported meaningful changes in their teaching practice. "Forcing me to think about how to design this course better, even if it's in a little hour or two-hour increments, just here and there throughout the summer really does push me and helped me dial in," shared one instructor.
The collaborative structure proved particularly valuable. "Hearing what other people are doing is really inspiring," noted one participant. Another emphasized: "It was really nice work shopping across the curriculum… completely different subject matter, but a lot of similar challenges."
The course breaks down intimidating concepts. One instructor explained, "I found the [recommendation] about simulations to feel super intimidating. And then once I got into it with everybody else, I felt actually a lot better about how people use those things."
Most significantly, the toolkit helps instructors identify specific teaching challenges, with one noting: "I didn't start out the course with a project in mind or with a challenge in mind, but as a result of taking the course, I homed in on this one thing that I could come up with some better technology for."
Who Should Use This Toolkit
The toolkit is designed for postsecondary leaders and professional learning staff who want to support instructors, regardless of their experience with technology, tenure status, or discipline, in implementing practice guide recommendations and developing the systems to support that work.
Why This Toolkit Matters
Technology in education isn't about using tools for their own sake. Strategic implementation of technologies must advance specific learning objectives. The What Works Clearinghouse practice guide identifies what works and why. The toolkit provides the supports, resources, and templates for postsecondary institutions to ensure their instructors can effectively leverage technology and AI to implement these practices and offers a collaborative learning structure that supports instructor success.
Get Started Today
Available at no cost and ready for immediate use, the toolkit offers everything needed to host high quality professional learning that transforms postsecondary technology-enhanced learning. Visit the toolkit website to download the complete professional learning course, facilitator guide, Instructor Technology Use Survey, institutional guidance, and all supplementary materials.
Additional Resources
Please subscribe to our newsletter, reach out via email, and visit our Website to learn more about REL Northwest.
