Interactive Teaching and Learning

Technology has been used in the classroom for decades now. But with the advent of cloud computing and the proliferation of smaller, more portable computers and Internet-capable devices, it’s now possible to bring the classroom into the technology instead. Mobile learning focuses on learning through mobile devices, allowing learners to move about in a classroom or remotely learn from any location of their choice. The movement has gained a lot of steam in recent years, and despite some criticisms, isn’t likely to fade fast – especially as new technologies that make mobile learning more practical continue to emerge. While the applications of mobile learning are growing all the time, some of the major trends are highlighted here, showing the changes in how we teach, learn and interact in educational environments.

"According to a May 2011 survey by the Nielson Company, about 37% of mobile consumers have a smartphone, with a majority of these individuals using either an Android or an Apple model."

 

 

 

 

This 2020 Forecast is a tool for thinking about, preparing for, and shaping the future. It outlines key forces of change that will shape the landscape of learning over the next decade. Together, these forces are pushing us to create the future of learning as an ecosystem, in which we have yet to determine the role of educational institutions as we know them today

"We currently face a higher education system that is hundreds of years old and stuck in the past. I believe that social intranets may be a key to radically bringing higher education into the 21st century.."

 

 

Steve Wheeler makes a great point here!

 

"One of the perennial problems teachers face, especially in early years education, is trying to get children to write....But several schools are beginning to address this 'won't write' problem by making it entertaining and productive through the use of social media. In an article entitled Could blogging be the key to raising a generation of great writers? Liz Dwyer argues for creating audiences online for children to write for"

 

It is my view that blogging is equally useful in the HE space especially if it is incorporated into learning activities that are assessed and embedded into the course/module curriculum.

Thanks to Learning Catalytics, the "flipped classroom" and peer learning could revolutionize higher education.

A visual which presents a blended learning instructional plan by Elizabeth Wargo.

A simple yet clear plan...nice!

"School begins soon and many students have added iPads or Kindles to their back-to-school lists. Terry Howerton, founder of the Illinois Technology Association, joined us to talk about how these gadgets help with education."

A interesting video clip that must raise some questions for teachers about students bringing their own technology gadgets to class.

The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) was developed to help guide the complex task of evaluating technology integration in the classroom. The TIM incorporates five interdependent characteristics of meaningful learning environments: active, constructive, goal directed (i.e., reflective), authentic, and collaborative (Jonassen, Howland, Moore, & Marra, 2003). The TIM associates five levels of technology integration (i.e., entry, adoption, adaptation, infusion, and transformation) with each of the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments. Together, the five levels of technology integration and the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments create a matrix of 25 cells as illustrated on this site - really useful in illustrating how teachers can use tech to enhance learning. The TIM site offers a richness in resources too.

PDF Handouts, Samples, Tips and Tricks, Lesson ideas, Rubric Examples, and lots more resources!

In many circles, slideshows are notorious for so-called “Death by PowerPoint.” The same criticism is applied everywhere from corporate boardrooms to classrooms. For many students, PowerPoint is synonymous with uninspiring lectures, and therefore passive learning.

To create more interactive teaching sessions, this site makes some suggestions:

1. Instant assessment and student response systems

2. Making Q&A a two-way street with the backchannel

3. Monitor comprehension

Dr Rey Junco explores Social Media in Higher Education on his blog.

Interesting statistics on use of Facebook and Twitter by college students and the impact on engagement and grades!

I think I have found the perfect place to reflect on the way a network, and specifically how Twitter, can impact on what goes on in the classroom.