Top Story...
Learning by Doing in the Digital Age
Posted on 07/22/2025
.png)
“Smart technology integration creates authentic experiences that stick with students long after the bell rings.”
Empowering Students Through Authentic Experiences: A Transformational Learning Approach
Over a century ago, philosopher John Dewey (1897) revolutionized education by advocating for learning by doing—a concept grounded in the belief that meaningful, hands-on activities deepen understanding and connect learning to life. Today, Dewey’s philosophy is more relevant than ever as educators embrace transformational learning, prioritizing authentic, real-world experiences that empower students as designers, collaborators, and problem-solvers.
Central to this approach is the Triple E Framework, developed by Liz Kolb (2017), which evaluates whether technology in the classroom meaningfully supports learning. By focusing on engagement, enhancement, and extension, educators can ensure technology use aligns with deeper learning goals and prepares students for life beyond the classroom.
The Triple E Framework: A Guide to Authentic Tech Integration
- Engagement
Students are most successful when they are mentally invested and see relevance in their learning. Kolb emphasizes that technology should not simply entertain, but actively involve learners in achieving instructional goals. Engagement means students are thinking critically, interacting socially, and focusing on tasks without distraction.
For instance, students collaborating on a shared digital map to chart environmental changes in their neighborhood are more likely to feel connected and engaged than if they were answering questions in a standard quiz. The former promotes deeper thinking and community relevance.
Educators can assess engagement by asking:
- Does the tech help students stay focused on the learning goal?
- Are students participating in active, social learning?
- Is the activity cognitively demanding and meaningful?
- Enhancement
Technology should elevate students’ thinking—not just replicate analog tasks. Enhancement occurs when tech tools support higher-order skills such as analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving. It also includes personalized pathways for learners to express understanding.
For example, instead of relying on textbook images, a Spanish teacher might use Google Earth to explore real marketplaces in Spain, fostering cultural comparisons that bring the content to life. This approach promotes analysis and critical thinking, making the learning experience richer and more authentic.
Educators might consider:
- Does the tech promote critical thinking?
- Does it scaffold student understanding?
- Does it offer meaningful, personalized ways for students to show learning?
- Extension
True transformation happens when classroom learning extends into students’ everyday lives. This component encourages students to use tech tools beyond the school day and apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations.
An example: a math teacher encourages students to use mobile apps to document math in everyday settings—like measuring angles on a wheelchair ramp or calculating discounts while shopping. These applications help students recognize that learning doesn’t stop at the school bell; it’s a tool they carry with them.
Educators should reflect on:
- Is the tech accessible outside of school?
- Does it connect to students’ lives or communities?
- Does it develop transferable soft skills like collaboration and creativity?
Putting the Three E’s into Practice
Kolb shares vivid classroom examples to illustrate how tech can bring authentic learning to life:
- Google Earth for Personal Narratives: Elementary students use the tour feature to map out locations tied to personal stories. They add audio, images, and reflections, turning writing into a multimedia experience anchored in real places. This deepens storytelling and fosters peer-sharing.
- AI Conversations in History Class: Middle schoolers “chat” with historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. using tools such as ChatGPT. Students then role-play historical salons, debating real issues from different perspectives, which develops empathy, critical thinking, and media literacy.
- Math Apps for Everyday Relevance: High school students document real-life math—like tracking gas prices or baking measurements—through video and photo-sharing apps. These tasks encourage students to recognize math in daily routines and build connections between abstract concepts and lived experiences.
Connecting Learning to Life
As Dewey famously said, “Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners” (1897). This insight continues to shape best practices in education today. When educators design lessons that allow students to engage deeply, enhance thinking, and extend knowledge into the world around them, they don’t just teach content—they transform learning into lived experience.
By adopting frameworks like Triple E, teachers can evaluate and refine their technology use to make sure it prioritizes authenticity and student empowerment. As Kolb (2017) suggests, technology should serve learning—not the other way around.
Reflective Questions for Educators
- How does your current use of technology connect classroom content to students' real lives?
- Which of the Triple E’s—engagement, enhancement, or extension—needs more attention in your lessons?
- What’s one classroom activity you could make more authentic with technology?
References
- Dewey, J. (1897). My Pedagogic Creed. E. L. Kellogg & Co.
- Kolb, L. (2017). Learning First, Technology Second: The Educator’s Guide to Designing Authentic Lessons. ISTE.
- Schatzke, S. E. (2019). A validation study of the Triple E rubric for lesson design: A measurement tool for technology use in the classroom (Doctoral dissertation). UNT Digital Library.
OTAN Resources
Triple E Framework: Engagement Web-based Class Activity
Triple E Framework: Enhancement Web-based Class Activity
Triple E Framework: Extension Web-based Class Activity
Triple E Framework Video Presentation
