Embracing technology based learning may seem like an overwhelming and impossible task, particularly with teachers’ portfolio of responsibilities already overflowing and a plethora of new technological tools being launched every day.
After reflecting on my future role and responsibility as a teacher and the importance of helping students be 21st century ready, I have committed myself to take little steps, often, towards embracing learning based technologies.
build a database of technological tools I am interested in, recording what their affordances are and my ideas for how they might be used in science education
reflect on some of my experiences and experiments in a blog using WordPress
Do you have any suggestions for future little steps I could take? What steps are you taking towards embracing technology based learning?
Mobile learning technologies such as mobiles phones, PDAs and tablet devices such as iPads can be seen as intrusions and distractions in the classroom. Integrating these devices into lessons using well thought out pedagogical design techniques, combined with affordance analysis and codes of conduct for usage can provide meaningful and engaging learning experiences for students.
The video below demonstrates how mobile technologies can transform learning for students with disabilities, providing them with opportunities to access and manipulate content, interact and communicate in a way they were previously unable to. An example of mobile technologies being used to engage and motivate previously dis-engaged students is also shown.
As you are reading this, children and adults alike around the world are watching and listening to content, gaming, chatting, communicating, reading, learning, playing, buying, selling, connecting, exploring and creating on technological devices such as mobile phones, desktop computers, laptops and tablet devices. We are becoming increasingly immersed in an information technology rich, digital world in our daily public and private lives. Even developing countries now have mobile phone penetration up at around 70% (ITU estimates, 2011).
If your philosophy and aim is to educate children today for a fast and flexible future then you cannot ignore technology in the classroom.
Students Need 21st Century Skills
Integrating technology into learning and teaching environments can help provide students with 21st century skills, knowledge and literacies they need. The USA based Partnership for 21st Century Skills promotes the development of “21st century ready” students using this framework pictured below.
In order for students to learn meaningfully, they must be wilfully engaged in a meaningful task. In order for meaningful learning to occur, that task that students pursue should engage active, constructive, intentional, authentic, and cooperative activities. (Jonassen & Howland et al, 2008, pg 2)
Pedagogically designed learning technologies have the ability to engage digital natives (Bennet & Maton et al, 2008) in meaningful tasks. Good technological tool selection and design can incorporate elements of gaming, social networking, virtual worlds, computer aided design and quests into learning activities – all things which students seem to enjoy participating in outside of school hours.
The video below shows use of virtual worlds in the classroom that ties in all of the elements listed above with the characteristics of meaningful learning as depicted in Fig 1.1. (Jonassen & Howland, 2008)
Technology Can Support Quality Learning and Teaching
Skillfull selection and use of technology based learning tools can help achieve quality learning and teaching by promoting high levels of intellectual quality, a quality learning environment and significance to students as supported by the NSW DET Classroom Practice Guide.
The National Professional Standards for Teachers, developed by AITSIL, refers to knowledge and use of ICT by teachers throughout. Shown below is Standard 2.6 (pg 11), which very specifically targets ICT proficiencies from graduate teachers right through to lead teachers.
You can’t make it go away, so, if you haven’t already, why not take some little steps to start embracing technology based learning in your pedagogical practice.
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R., Crismond, D. (2008). Chapter 1 – What is meaningful learning?, in Meaningful Learning with Techonology (pp. 1-12). NJ: Pearson.
The Making of a 21C Teacher 