Reimagining the role of technology in higher education: the new normal and learners’ likes

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced universities to look at teaching provision. As a result, new technologies, an increasing usage of existing online platforms and alternative ways to engage with learners in the classroom, have together become ‘the new normal’. This research aims to answer the questions: how do higher education learners perceive the new role of technology in the classroom? Is technology overload counteracting the potential benefits that blended delivery can offer? In-depth semi-structured interviews with eight students from two seminar groups reveal their positive perception of and continuous interest in the use of technology in the physical and virtual classroom. The study provides examples and recommendations, enabling the effective deployment of technology focusing on three areas: the learner, the facilitator and the technology. Finally, this study makes important contributions to constructivism in the context of technology usage and current and post-pandemic pedagogic practice.