EDU5640:Introduction to Technology-Enhanced Learning

Compiled by Josmar Borg & Sam Cefai

Technology Enhanced Learning

• What is Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)??– TEL refers to the support of any learning activity through

technology.– TEL focuses on the technological support of any pedagogical

approach that utilizes technology

• Why should we incorporate TEL in our educational pedagogies???– As with all changes that are happening around us, education is

not the exception. – Nowadays students are autonomously being exposed to what is

called ‘Informal Education’ through the use of modern technology.

Learning TO CHANGE: CHANGE TO Learning

• Click on the video below about the CHANGE HAPPENING IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

NEW GENERATION OF LEARNERS

• Are you a teacher of the new Generation students?

• Are you aware of the 21st Century Skills?• Are you a 21st Century skilled person yourself?

… so no longer ‘sage on the stage’ …not even the ‘guide on the side’

BECOME CO-CONSTRUCTOR OF LEARNING

21ST CENTURY LEARNER

• Click on the video below about the 21ST CENTURY STUDENTS

21ST CENTURY LEARNER

Today's students have different expectations than those of their peers of five years their seniors.

What are the skills that are going to be needed in an unpredictable, fast-moving modern society?

How should a lesson be delivered?

Providing a valuable learning experience while maintaining a balanced schedule can be a

challenge!

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21ST CENTURY LEARNER

• Children in Malta are using technology outside of school – A recent study has shown that the use of mobile phones,

mediaplayers, smartphones and video games is on the rise amongst 12 and 13-year olds, while most of them (62% of 13-year olds and 63% of 14-year olds) have the ability to surf the net from the privacy of their bedroom.

Technology can be a way of connecting the informal and

formal learning environments

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BLENDED LEARNING

• We can combine the physical environment at school with the virtual environment on the Internet – the idea of Blended Learning

• Blended learning has the potential to improve learning by extending the learning space beyond the class contact hours.

• The Internet can provide a fertile medium for the sharing and development of ideas.

WEB 2.0

• The introduction of Web 2.0 made it possible for educators to think of and develop different educational pedagogies.

• Web 2.0 offers students speed and ease of gaining information. Students can become more autonomous and become active participants of the learning process.

TEL REQUIRES EDUCATION CHANGE!

• TEL requires that educators:– take advantage of their students’ potential– Motivate through creativity– Teach students to search, validate and synthesize information– Communicate and Collaborate

• Educators need to:– Accustom their teaching resources.– Change their educational pedagogies to reflect the new

generation of learners

A Generation that is active in the learning process!

A Technology of Education Approach

• A technology-of-education approach focuses on questions about what educational philosophies and theories reflect in our current teaching & learning practices and what changes need to occur in order to design learning environments which use ICTs to engage teachers and learners.

• A technology-of-education approach re-envisions education by drawing on constructivist and social constructivist educational philosophies (Holmes, et al, 2000; Fowler & Mayes, 2000; Cormier, 2008).

A Technology of Education Approach

• A technology of education focuses attention on the learner, learner’s motivation, background and needs (Fowler & Mayes, 2000).

• This approach recognizes that while learning occurs within the individual, it takes place within a social context which makes social interaction central to the learning process.

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Teaching Philosophies

• Simply throwing a laptop at a problem is not the way to improve school standards.

• The technology drive must be mapped with sound pedagogies.

Theories Main focus Map to technologies

Social Constructivism

• Emphasis on interpersonal relationships involving imitation and modeling and joint construction of knowledge

• Multiple forms of asynchronous and synchronous communication offer the potential for more diverse and richer forms of dialogue and interaction between students and tutors and amongst peers

• Archive materials and resources provide ample opportunity for vicarious learning

• Different online communication tools and learning environments and social fora offer the potential for new forms of communities of practice or facilities to support and enhance existing communities

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Teaching Philosophies

Theories Main focus Map to technologies

Behaviourism • Trial and error learning• Learning through association and

Reinforcement

• Presentation of content, use of multiple media to convey information

• Feedback through e-assessment tools• Peer feedback

Cognitive constructivism

• Focus on the processes by which learners build their own mental structures when interacting with an environment

• Task-orientated, favour hands-on, self-directed activities orientated towards design and discovery

• Guided and adaptive instruction through interactive materials

• Access to resources and expertise offers the potential to develop more engaging and student-centred, active and authentic learning environments

Situated Learning

• Learning as social participation• Shift from a focus on the individual

and information focused learning to an emphasis on social learning and communication/ collaboration

• Networking capabilities of the Web enable more diverse access to different forms of expertise and the potential for the development of different types of communities

• Online communication tools and learning environments offer the potential for new forms of communities of practice or can facilitate and enhance existing communities

Conole (2008)

TEL Oriented Activities…

• Class discussion board: – Allows groups to communicate online. – Students can be required to post their opinions,

ideas, and experiences, and also reply to their classmates’ posts.

– The teacher can pose questions relating to the textbook, lab activities, online presentations, readings, etc…

Moodle Forums or Wimba Voice Boards

TEL Oriented Activities…

• Group work – Students can collaborate in groups to brainstorm ideas,

group formation, create a learning contract, solve problems and become experts on certain topics.

– They can present their findings to the class in the class discussion board. These presentations can be in the form of writing PowerPoint presentations, or web sites.

Wimba Classroom or Voice Boards, Video conferencing,

Moodle Forums, Chat or Blogs

TEL Oriented Activities…

• Journal Log– Students can maintain a journal or a log to record reactions

to topics being studied and to record personal reflections.

Moodle Blogs, ePortfolios

• Simulations– Simulations and games can be used by students so they can

participate in, and learn from, processes that might otherwise be less available because of danger, expense or logistical difficulties.

Animation, Images, Graphics (DeC)

TEL Oriented Activities…

• Recorded lectures, mini-lectures and demonstrations – PowerPoint presentations , with audio narration.– Podcast lectures.– Mini-lectures can be processed so student can

download them onto their cell phones or iPods in order to learn wherever and whenever they want.

Adobe Presenter, Camtasia Relay, Camtasia Studio, Wimba Podcaster, Mobile Learning

TEL Oriented Activities…

• Games – Games can be used as review activities to reinforce

previously learned material and to prepare for exams. – Style games, crossword puzzles, flash cards, etc... can

be created for online delivery.

• Virtual field trips – Students can “attend” virtual field trips to places on

web sites that are either too far away or too costly to visit in person. These field trips can be followed by activities, such as discussions.

Conclusion…

• Learning styles should not be driven by technology

• Technology must be seen as providing a better means to achieve the fundamental aim of education – better learning

If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn

Ignacio Estrada