Today’s college students are among the first generation who grew up with computers and cell phones and smart devices. For many of them, computers and tablets in the classroom were commonplace from elementary school through high school. Every step of their formal learning experiences involved technology, and that’s the same kind of experience they expect in the college classroom. As Lindsey Havens, senior marketing manager with PhishLabs, stated, "Technology is changing the landscape of many industries including education."

According to CompTIA’s report, "The Changing Classroom: Perspectives from Students and Educators on the Role of Technology," school staff said the key benefit they seek to derive from technology is to improve student performance. Other key benefits of using technology in the learning process included making learning more engaging and interesting; having real-time electronic access to student data to track performance; online learning; and helping students to keep pace in a digital economy. In addition, 75 percent of educators saw positive or very positive effects from technology when applied to the education process.

Here are ways that college professors are taking advantage of the technology students currently use and adding new technologies to enhance the teaching and learning experiences.