Trends in Educational Technology

When most people hear the word "final assessment," research papers and cumulative tests are often the main types of assignments to come to mind. Large projects or finals often serve as a tangible outcome of learning for students to showcase their knowledge.

But are traditional papers and formal exams the best way to measure student success?

Recent research says no, there are better, more engaging and inclusive ways to foster student learning by allowing for "both student and teacher creativity — and how technology can empower it" (Krueger 2023). Creativity and innovative learning is one such educational trend that has emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the heightened reliance on technology, and a more inclusive way to assess student learning.

Think about your own experience as a student: did you perform well in a test-taking environment? Were research papers easy to craft and write? How did your teachers grade your respective work?

In my personal experience, I loved writing analytical or research papers, and usually received good grades as a result. But tests were extremely difficult and time-consuming for me, especially when time limitations or multiple choice questions were involved. Standardized tests such as the SAT or the ACT are often requirements for future college students, but these tests only measure a specific kind of logical intelligence. Furthermore, the objective nature of these tests only reveals which students are good test takers, ( students who do not experience test anxiety) and fail to predict the success of specific individuals. Similarly, research and analytical papers require students to be particularly strong writers who have had practice honing their ability to cultivate a cohesive argument and organizing their sources effectively. If students have not had specific training on how to write an essay well or how to structure a paper, they're more likely to fail. While both test-taking and writing skills remain vital to student success, teachers have begun to rely on more creative projects and innovative presentations for students' final projects.

The emergence of the "non traditional paper" or "research paper alternatives" provide students with a creative outlet to present their research in a more inviting and engaging way. Infographics are a visual representation of information or data that serve as a more interactive summary of research, and they are a great example of a non traditional paper. Students still conduct research and formulate an argument, but present their findings in a more concise and visual way, honing their digital presentation skills. The "infographic of infographics" shows how many different ways there are for students to present key concepts:

Image Source: Ivan Cash

Obviously not all of these charts, graphs, and images would be on a single infographic, and part of the challenge of creating a visual representation of data is determining what information is valuable and how to present and design it meaningfully. Students can create free accounts on sites like Canva, Venngage, or Piktochart to present their research with images, charts, and research themes. I've used Canva as an example, as seen here:

Enabling students to take hold of their creativity through free online sites such as these aligns with the trends of creativity and innovation within the classroom. Instructors can use infographics to help students summarize their research before and after writing a formal paper to clarify and showcase their comprehension.

What Is an Infographic?

Research Paper Alternatives

Creativity and Innovation in the College Classroom

On the Role of Creativity in the Application-Oriented University Students’ Engagement and Success

Alternatives to Research Papers