Digital Technology – Center for Teaching and Learning /ctl Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:26:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /ctl/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/01/cropped-android-chrome-512x512-1-32x32.png Digital Technology – Center for Teaching and Learning /ctl 32 32 Accessible & Safe Technology /ctl/accessible-safe-technology/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:14:42 +0000 /ctl/?p=5634 Did you know that Maine law requires that all technology developed, procured, or provided by publicly funded organizations must meet the accessibility requirements of Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA? There are also policies intended to protect student data privacy and security, even for free apps and services. But, do you really have time to read through all of the fine print on the website of a new technology platform to determine if it is acceptable?

]]> Did you know that Maine law requires that all technology developed, procured, or provided by publicly funded organizations must meet the accessibility requirements of Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA? There are also policies intended to protect student data privacy and security, even for free apps and services. But, do you really have time to read through all of the fine print on the website of a new technology platform to determine if it is acceptable?

If you ask your students to use a tool or input their data or intellectual property into a tool that is not available on the MyCampus Portal, please ensure that it has received approval from IT who will investigate these issues for you. You can submit a Technology Review Request by following these steps:

  1. Go to the  on the IT services website.
  2. Click the big Start a Technology Review Request button to access the form.
  3. Fill out the fields to the best of your ability and click Submit.
  4. You will receive an email confirmation with a link to your IT ticket.
  5. Keep an eye out in your email for updates to this request as IT investigates the accessibility of the tool and the data and privacy features.
  6. Do not use the tool with students or their work until you receive approval from IT.

If you need assistance with this, please reach out to CTL at umpi-ctl@maine.edu.

]]> New Meta-Analysis Probes Technology’s Link to Cognitive Aging /ctl/new-meta-analysis-probes-technologys-link-to-cognitive-aging/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:53:04 +0000 /ctl/?p=3677 In this meta-analysis, researchers found that use of digital technologies was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and reduced rates of cognitive decline, even when controlling for demographics, SES, and health. Of course, correlation is not causation, so there may be other underlying factors. However, the good news is that technology does not rot your brain! Those that had the best outcomes used technology for more cognitively demanding tasks versus scrolling through social media. It's not the tool; it's how you use it.

]]> I discovered this interesting article in Michelle Miller’s (Ìý&²¹³¾±è;Ìý—check them out from the CTL library) . Each month she highlights a new research article that has implications for digital teaching and learning.

In this meta-analysis, researchers found that use of digital technologies was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and reduced rates of cognitive decline, even when controlling for demographics, SES, and health. Of course, correlation is not causation, so there may be other underlying factors. However, the good news is that technology does not rot your brain! Those that had the best outcomes used technology for more cognitively demanding tasks versus scrolling through social media. It’s not the tool; it’s how you use it.

Access the full article here:

Benge, J. F., & Scullin, M. K. (2025). A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging. Nature Human Behaviour, 9(7), 1405–1419. 

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