Educational Technology Takes Learning to the Next Level at the HCT

Educational Technology at the Higher Colleges of Technology is driven by the principal that technology helps to engage students in learning process. Students across 16 HCT campuses learn in a technologically sophisticated educational environment that encourages the development of independent and life-long learning skills, necessary to succeed in a fast changing world. 

All HCT colleges are wireless Internet-enabled and follow a policy of one Tablet PC per student.  Online Learning was first introduced at the HCT in 1998 with only two online courses and a few tools and technologies.

Today, this figure has grown to more than 3,000 blended online courses, diverse ICT applications, and variety of educational technologies. There are dedicated educational technology departments in each HCT campus to support teaching and learning. 

Key technologies which are extensively being used for teaching at the HCT are podcasts, online social networks, smart boards and other Web 2.0 tools, all integrated with the enterprise level learning management system – Blackboard Vista.  Blackboard Vista is also integrated with the student information system, Banner, to provide seamless access to online learning to students for their courses. 

Major applications and tools used by all HCT colleges

Online Learning Tools
Learning Management System – Blackboard Vista
Anti Plagiarism tool – Safe Assign
Social Book marking Application – Scholar
Assessments Tool – Respondus
Online Testing – Respondus Lockdown Browser
Content Creation – Course Genie
Portal – Share Point Portal
Student Information System – SCT Banner

Classroom Technology
Smartboards, Promethein boards, Wireless Projectors, Touchscreen PCs, Motion Capture Cameras, Audio video support, Virtual Classroom applications, Streaming servers.