Improving 21st -Century Learning Outcomes with the Technology Triangle Defense

It was a simple play on a buzzword that quietly rewired my thinking. I was speaking with a higher ed technology leader when he said something: “We don’t aim for future-proof. We aim for future-flexible.”

Future-flexible . . . that phrase stuck with me. It reframed how I think and talk about planning, designing, and supporting technology in higher education. Because in this space, where needs evolve faster than budgets, flexibility isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a mission-critical strategy. And it’s one that works best when the right people are working together.

So, who are the right people? In my mind, there are three crucial parties that must be involved for a successful, future-flexible, technology strategy. I call it the triangle defense. The triangle defense involves collaborative efforts between the three corners of the triangle: the technology integrator, the tech manufacturer, and the educational institution.

It’s through their collaboration that we are best positioned to meet and improve those 21^st-century learning outcomes.

I recently joined a webinar, hosted by my friends at rAVe, where we actually brought the full triangle defense together to talk about strategies for finding the right technology partners.

We wanted to have a conversation to help IT leaders and campus decision makers understand the importance of selecting the right technology providers. We got into the nitty-gritty with real-world projects, tips and traps, advice, and overall knowledge sharing.

It was an engaging conversation — a true meeting-of-the-minds that showcased the integrity of the triangle defense in action.

After the conversation, I felt compelled to share my top takeaways.

Why collaboration outperforms cost-cutting

I hate to state the obvious, but we all know how tight budgets can tempt us to cost-saving strategies like buying off-the-shelf devices online. It might look good on paper, but it often leads to a patchwork of mismatched components, inconsistent user experiences, and support headaches down the line.

During our conversation, Ryan Cochran of Wichita State University said, “If I want cheap prices, I can go to an online vendor for most things nowadays … but that doesn’t mean I get the same support.”

I love that. Since I come from the AV manufacturer tip of the triangle, it’s so validating to hear the customer place value in an area where we invest a lot of resources. We’ve spent over 40 years dedicated to building a world-class support strategy. So much so that it’s garnered a reputation in our industry known as the True Blue Way. True Blue is an uncompromising commitment to our partners, customers, employees, and industry as a whole. It was founded on a belief in support and collaboration through partnership.

And sometimes, collaboration means stepping up when the conversation gets tough. One point I brought up during the webinar was that there are times that I feel like it’s my job (as the manufacturer in the triangle) to either fall on the sword and deliver a hard message, or to be there with resources to help the campus team have conversations with their stakeholders.

That kind of creative problem-solving and shared accountability doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when the triangle is strong.

Meeting the needs of the space

Jeffrey Frank from CTI said something during our conversation that cannot be overstated:

“Not every room needs to be a $100,000 classroom. Sometimes it’s just a display on the wall. But when we collaborate, we can find that balance — meeting the needs of the space without compromising the experience.”

When he says, “meeting the needs of the space,” it’s music to my ears. Because in this industry, it’s easy to get caught up in the flash. Some technology providers may be tempted to oversell — either to impress stakeholders with high-end specs or to increase the size of the order. But a true technology partner focuses on what the space actually needs to support teaching and learning.

Because that’s the goal: Improving learning outcomes by supporting the faculty and meeting student preferences.

During the conversation, I was reminded of a common misconception I often encounter with institutional stakeholders. We aim for equity, not equality. Equity doesn’t mean every room gets the exact same equipment or AV budget. Equity means every room gets exactly what it needs to benefit the people using it.

A learning lab is expected to be used in a very different way than a traditional classroom. Therefore, it will likely get a larger technology investment because that is what’s needed for teachers to teach and students to learn. The traditional classroom may just get that display on the wall. That’s ok if that is all that is needed to get the lesson across.

A strong triangle defense helps explain that distinction to stakeholders. It gives the AV team the support they need to advocate for the right solutions — solutions that are tailored, not templated. That way, institutions avoid overspending on unnecessary tech while ensuring every space is equipped to support meaningful learning experiences.

Evaluating technology vendors

One of my favorite segments during the webinar was when Ryan described his process for evaluating technology vendors. It was a perfect example of the importance of strong partnerships between institutions and technology providers. Here’s how he described it:

“Literally what I did is I did one project with four or five different integrators. I looked at the experience — what kind of equipment did they specify, what was the quoting process like, what was the installation process like, the follow-up, the support — all those things. And I just kind of mentally rated all of them and said, ‘Okay, priority-wise, I’m going to put this integrator over this one over that one.’ And that’s how I built my list.”

What I love about Ryan’s approach is that it wasn’t just about price or product — it was about the experience. He was evaluating not just what vendors delivered, but how they delivered it. Were they responsive? Did they understand the needs of the space? Did they act like a partner or just a supplier?

That’s the kind of thinking that builds strong, lasting relationships. Because in higher ed, where refresh cycles can span six to ten years and support needs don’t end when the invoice is paid, you need more than a vendor. You need a team that’s invested in your success.

And that’s exactly what the triangle model helps identify: Partners who show up early, stay engaged, and help you make smarter decisions — not just for today, but for years to come.

Speaking the same language

It was a genuinely fun conversation. Even though it was my first extended discussion with Ryan and Jeffrey, what struck me most was how naturally aligned we were in our thinking. We each brought different skills, backgrounds, and perspectives to the table. But without even naming it, we were all operating within the same model: the triangle.

That’s the beauty of this approach. Whether you’re on the campus side, the integrator side, or the manufacturer side, when the partnership is strong, you find yourself speaking the same language — focused on outcomes, grounded in trust, and committed to doing what’s right for the space, the people, and the institution.

We covered far more in the webinar than I could capture in this article — from firmware updates to refresh cycles to the occasional “Edison plug re-engaged” moment. If you’d like to hear the full conversation, you can watch the webinar on demand here.

And if you’re exploring AV solutions for your campus, I invite you to learn more about how Crestron partners with higher education institutions to build smarter, more flexible, and more sustainable learning environments.

Because when the triangle is strong, everything else falls into place.

John Hulen has been in the AV industry for over 25 years and has worked for Crestron for over 10 years. His role is to understand the specific factors and obstacles which arise when implementing and using instructional technology. He has collaborated with universities, technical and community colleges, and K-12 school districts. His role with Crestron is to work with a global team of partner managers who provide solutions, resources, and support to schools in their communities, states, and countries. Currently, John and his team are imagining ways to increase student engagement as new educational trends and teaching methodologies emerge for 21^st century students.