Transforming Technologies: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age

Session 4:Classroom approaches that really work

Learning outcomes

• To discuss the types of teaching, learning and activities that go on in a classroom or training room and match technology solutions to them.

• To critically evaluate the effectiveness of classroom technologies against agreed, shared criteria.

• To become familiar with Mahara and negotiate agreed assessment criteria for assignment 2.

What do we want from learning?

What do we expect from teaching/training?

Critical questions to ask• How is the technology supporting the desired learning

outcomes of the session?• How does the intervention add value? • How accessible is the technology? Is it multi-platform? Is it

free?• How much ‘lead in’ time is required to learn this tool?• Does this tool collect data and how can this made available?• What is the availability of this outside of the classroom?• How engaging is this tool? Do students and teachers enjoy

it?

‘Value’ and technology

‘Access’ and classroom technologyAccessible

contentDoes it support

me?

Accessible interface

Can I work it?

Cultural capital

Do I value it?

Accessible task

Does it engage me?

Adapted from JISC, A Model of Accessible M-Learning: http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/pages/detail/floating_pages/A_Model_of_Accessible_m-learning

Classroom technology categories

• Tools for annotation and analysis• Tools for real time assessment and capturing

student thinking• Tools for ongoing classroom dialogue• Tools for brainstorming and collaboration• Tools for explanation and demo• Tools for presentation and progress

Tools for brainstorming and collaboration

• Mindjet• Simplemind• iBrainstorm• Padlet• Popplet• GroupBoard

Tools for real time assessment and student thinking

• Responseware • Polleverywhere• Nearpod• Socrative• Kahoot

Tools for explanation and demo• You Tube• Screenchomp• Show Me• Audacity• Audio Boo• Quizlet

Tools for annotation an analysis

• iAnnotate• Live scribe • Google docs• Evernote• Smartboard• Wordle

Tools for presentation and ‘progress’

• PowerPoint• Keynote• Prezi• Webquests• Nearpod• Document visualisers

Tools for ongoing classroom dialogue

• Today’s Meet• Twitter

Experiment with a tool

• Use the time to experiment with a tool of your choice. Work on your own or in a pair or small group to create a resource which could be used as a classroom technology.

• Be prepared to share what you have done.

Tips for incorporating classroom technologies

• Ensure tools are working before use! This includes connection to wifi

• Set-up pre-prepared templates, boards or rooms.

• Give students/participants quick routes to tools, such as QR codes, shortened hyperlinks.

• Consider the purposefulness of the tool in its relationship to the learning outcomes.

Critical questions

• Which classroom technologies have the greatest impact, in terms of the criteria we have set for good teaching and learning?

• What is the relative value of digital versions of artefacts like ‘post-it notes’ compared to more tangible versions? What is gained and/or what is lost in the use of these tools?