Distance Learning, mLearning, Digital Education, Technology

As more and more teachers and educators resort to the services of the web to help with the delivery of their teaching, the question of how we can best use technology to serve our pedagogical practices become even more persistent. In this regard, SAMR model as conceptualized by Dr Ruben Puentedura (2006)  is a good analytic framework you should definitely consider.

As we have stated elsewhere, 'SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition) is a four-level conceptual framework developed by to help teachers make effective use of technology in their instruction

Via Elizabeth E Charles

This guest blog has been kindly contributed by Professor Neil Morris, Chair in Educational Technology, School of Education, University of Leeds. He can be found at @NeilMorrisLeeds

 

The Unbundled University research project, funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC grant number ES/P002102/1) and the National Research Foundation in South Africa (NRF grant number 105395), explored a range of issues in relation to the expansion of online education in universities in the UK and South Africa, including partnerships with private companies and the disaggregation of learning and teaching materials for delivery online (‘unbundling’).

 

Data were collected from interviews with senior leaders, academics, students and private companies in both countries. The data are being written up for publication in academic journals, but given the rapid shift to focus on online education as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is evident that some of the headlines from the research need to be put in the public domain rapidly.

Via Elizabeth E Charles

Today, the classroom is much more dynamic and innovative than it used to be. While in years past, the classroom was seemingly immune to digitization, that’s no longer the case. Nearly every kid of every age has a smartphone and a digital-first mentality. 

Some teachers have fully embraced EdTech in their classrooms, while for others, it’s a work in progress. We’re here to help you along. In this in-depth guide, we explore everything from education’s evolution to tips for making the most of technology in the classroom to current tools you can use to save time and improve the learning experience.

Via Elizabeth E Charles, LGA

When and how much should students be using technology in class?
What is the best way to set up my classroom for device use?
How can I make sure I am protecting student privacy when using technology?
Which policies and procedures will help me get the most out of teaching with technology?
Are there benefits to allowing student phones in the classroom? If so, what are they?
How can I keep kids on task when they're using devices?
How can digital citizenship lessons help me get the most out of teaching with technology?
How can I use technology to support learning outside of school?

Via Elizabeth E Charles

The possibilities that technology offers us to improve learning are tremendously exciting. In the past few years, the question has shifted from whether technology should have a place in the classroom to understanding how technology can be integrated into lessons to achieve specific learning goals.

Via Elizabeth E Charles

By Professor Grainne Conole.

 

I recently attended a HEA Future-focus Forum on Digital Transformation and Empowering Technologies in Higher Education. Prior to the meeting a paper was circulated setting the scene for the meeting. This contextualized the topic by referencing various Irish and EU relevant documents, including the Irish Future Jobs Initiative, the Digital Agenda for Europe, the European Digital Education Action Plan, the European Higher Education Area in 2018, etc.

 

The paper argued that digital transformation is pervasive and can be understood as the changes that digital technology causes or influences in all aspects of human life. In addition, Higher Education will change significantly over the coming years due to digital transformation. Critical questions include: how can higher education Institutions (HEI) provide leadership in ensuring an ethical and responsible use of technology and data? How do we empower people to build a data-first culture and future proof our digital infrastructure? What are the challenges and how do we prepare for them? What international best practice exists to inform a national approach to digital transformation in Higher Education?

Via Elizabeth E Charles

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of digital learning: It’s engaging, student-centered, often collaborative, and can increase student achievement.

But here’s the catch:

You and your students won’t reap these benefits if you don’t purposefully plan your use of technology.

Too often, teachers think of technology as something to check off of a list. “Does this lesson use technology? Nope…How can I sprinkle some in?” Using technology merely for the sake of using technology isn’t effective teaching.

Instead, here are five digital learning theories and models that can help you tap into the benefits of technology and enhance student outcomes.

Via Elizabeth E Charles

Via Elizabeth E Charles, Bhushan Thapliyal

“How did you do that?” This is a question I have been asked a few times in my career when using an element of technology in my lessons.

The thing is, this is not a reaction to my students tackling some carefully crafted web quest or using iPads to create animated video clips (simply because I don’t usually do those kind of tasks but more on that later!) It is often a reaction to my class using an app like Padlet to collaborate or Kahoot to create their own quizzes.

“I didn’t do that,” is usually my answer. “I just set it up and my students did the rest.”

“But it seems so complicated,” they continue. “I could never do something like that.”

When a teacher is reluctant to use technology in class, there are two reasons they may offer – “I don’t know much about technology,” and/or “my students are much better with tech than me so how could I teach them anything with it?”

Via Elizabeth E Charles, juandoming

Ask a Tech Teacher contributor, Jane Sandwood, has interesting ideas on blending tech with tradition:

Balancing Technology With Traditional Teaching To Enhance Performance In Class

 

California has recently increased state investment in school technology, focusing on better broadband connections and supporting further teaching of computer science. Although there is still some debate about the benefits of increasing use of technology in schools, there appears to be plenty of evidence to show that, if used effectively, it can greatly enhance learning. It isn’t as productive on its own, and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for good teachers. However, blended learning takes the positive aspects of technology and combines them with tried and tested teaching methods. Although children are naturally becoming citizens of the digital world, for them to integrate fully and in a positive way in this new society, they still need guidance from teachers.

Via Elizabeth E Charles

Campuses are deploying Alexa to improve the student experience in and out of the classroom

As technology offers more ways to stay connected and access information, forward-thinking higher-ed leaders are leveraging voice technology such as Amazon’s Alexa to help students acclimate to campus life and feel like they’re at home.

That’s what happened last year at Saint Louis University (SLU), for instance, when the college deployed Alexa-enabled devices in every student room on campus.

Campus leaders had begun looking at voice technology as a way to help improve the student experience and personalize social and academic activities down the road.

Via Elizabeth E Charles

Note: This list, written in 1996 by Phil Agre is the best advice I can give people who are helping novice users with computer issues. Phil Agre was a visionary technologist and this list was up on his website forever but has been up and down lately so I am reprinting it.

Computer people are generally fine human beings, but nonetheless they do a lot of inadvertent harm in the ways they “help” other people with their computer problems. Now that we’re trying to get everyone on the net, I thought it might be helpful to write down everything I’ve been taught about helping people use computers.

Via Elizabeth E Charles, Yashy Tohsaku

Canvas is the new Virtual Learning Environment that will replace WebLearn. Here Kate Lindsay, Head of Technology Enhanced Learning, explores how the Canvas @ Oxford project will 'advance education at Oxford by providing an intuitive digital platform for all.' Words by Kate Lindsay, adapted from her presentation at the Canvas Early Adopters event in September 2018.

Via Elizabeth E Charles