What is The Value of Technology in Teaching and Learning?

For this particular post, I wanted to try and ascertain how much added value is to be had, when utilising technology in relation to the teaching and learning experience.  I decided to simply access the home computer and the Internet and typed the above question into the Google search engine.   Google came back with no less than 54,700 results.  I looked at the information contained within the top three results, which were:-

1. Leicester University

2. Village Science

3. The Value of Teaching and Learning Technology

After exploring these 3 sites a little further, I very quickly gathered information on:-

·         the range of courses available at Leicester University and facilities it had to offer,  

·         how a charity was helping to develop villages around the world and

·         the cost of ICT measured against results achieved in education

This very simple search had resulted in instant access to a wide range of information and resources, all from the comfort of home.

The ‘value’ of the use of the technology was very apparent. I had not been ’confined to the classroom’, Reece& Walker (2006)p187 in order to undertake my independent learning task. The flexibility of technology allows access to information and resources at any time of the day or night and from virtually any location. This accessibility to learning is vitally important, particularly for adult learners, as it allows them to undertake their learning, whilst at the same time meeting both work and personal commitments. 

References

Reece, I and Walker, S (2007) Training and Learning: a practical guide, 6^th edition

Sunderland: Business Education Publishers

Barriers to the effective use of technology in education

Whilst driving to a teaching session I reflected on the above question.  I had my lesson prepared and I felt confident. I had been to the training venue previously.  On arrival, it soon became apparent what the ‘barriers’ to the effective use of technology would be in relation to this particular teaching session.   An electrical fault had affected the building and had resulted in a complete loss of power. I was unable to use the laptop or projector and, with no access to the internet for the assessment section, it was necessary to completely re think the approach to the teaching session.

As a consequence, I had many negative thoughts about my reliance on technology, to help present a teaching session.  Both  Ager, R (2000) and Edwards, A(2012) considered the early concerns around  ICT in teaching and learning and asserted that early  ‘‘technologies were not universally welcomed’’ (Edwards, A 2012 page 54) with Ager, R (2000) going further  ‘‘there was a view that eventually computers would replace teachers’’ (Ager, R  200 page 3).   There was no possibility during the session in question, of the teacher being replaced and my ‘enthusiasm ‘  for new technologies ended rather abruptly.

However, I undertook the teaching session and set the learners the task of completing the online question and answer assessment at home.  I instructed them to forward to me electronically the end-of-session certificate once they had completed the task, and within a couple of days all the learners had done.  Thus all the aims and objectives of the teaching session were achieved.

In summary, despite having been confronted with some very practical barriers to the use of technology, these had been overcome.

References

Ager, R (2000) The Art of Information and communications Technology for Teachers

London: David Fulton Publishers

Edwards, A (2012) New Technology and Education

London: Continuum International Publishing

Interactive white boards

During our last ICT session we compared the two main designs of Interactive Whiteboard:-

Smartboard   

And Promethean

 

I have not used either make of interactive whiteboard, mentioned above, for teaching purposes.  This is due mainly to the fact that I travel to training venues, most of which do not have interactive white boards.  The charity office I work from does not have the space to mount an interactive board and the cost is prohibitive. However, having had an opportunity, during the teaching session, to use both types of board, I can understand the benefits to be gained, by both teacher and learner, when utilising this technology.  The two designs of white board looked at during the session vary only slightly in the way in which teacher and learner interact with them. 

With enough practice, both boards can be mastered easily and will enhance the teaching/learning experience.  During the second session, with the Promethean, I attempted to use an interactive tablet in conjunction with the board.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get the tablet to interact correctly. This highlights a negative aspect to the use of this type of technology in how much preparation time has to be committed to ensure a smooth lesson.

The use of these interactive whiteboards is a valuable aid to learning.

My  Experience of Mobile Technology

When I initially asked myself the question ‘how  much do I know of,  or use mobile technology? ‘, my initial thought was, very little.  However during the lesson with Mandy it soon became apparent that I was, in fact, utilising a number of mobile technologies for work and teaching purposes, as well as in my personal life.

For example, I use my mobile phone, a Blackberry Bold 9900 smart phone, in a variety of ways. The smart phone is able to send and receive emails relating to both my work and personal accounts.  I can also access Facebook and I use this for both work and social purposes.   In addition, the Blackberry messaging service, BBM, allows me to  keep in touch with family and work colleagues on the Blackberry network.

I am able to access the internet and open and download documents directly to the phone.  Word, Excel and PowerPoint can all be viewed on the phone’s touch screen.

I utilise the diary and notes application on the phone and I am able to store contact details.  My Blackberry is an important tool and I use it in all aspects of my day-to-day life.

When teaching, I utilise a number of mobile technologies. Many of the training venues I teach at do not have either, a laptop or projector.  To support my teaching I use an ACER laptop and ACER K330 projector.   The projector is compact and easily portable and provides excellent viewing of slides or video, greatly enhancing the learning experience.

 One section of the Autism Awareness training that I run, requires learners to complete an online programme and for this particular task we utilise Ipads.   These have proved extremely successful and  are very popular with the learners.  It is an area of the learning we plan to expand upon.

In summary, my use of mobile technology is far greater than initially thought and as my knowledge of available mobile technology increases, I am certain I will start to utilise even more.

TED Talk

TED talk

 Joe Sabia: The Technology of storytelling 

Deciding which TED talk to reflect on, with so  many to choose from was quite difficult. During my search I found myself being somewhat distracted from my learning task and exploring the videos.  I was drawn to talks in subject areas in which I am interested. One in particular, presented by Professor Brian Cox
What really goes on at the large Hadron collider  really caught my attention and I was completely engrossed.

Once the video had finished I realised how focused I had been, and how much I had learned.  Having spent some considerable time exploring various TED talks, I eventually chose the TED talk by JoeSabia: The technology of storytelling.  

Joe Sabia describes himself as “ an independent conceptor, director, copyright-reform advocate, and speaker on creativity/building internet video audiences" (Sabia, 2013)  He has certainly added me to his fan base.

As the Ted talk task made up part of the ICT module, I decided I would try to find a talk that incorporated the use of ICT.  ICT is central to the talk and a good example for the ICT module.  The use of  tablet technology in this Ted talk, to enhance the storytelling, is excellent.  The story is laced together with both the spoken and written word, made amusing with sound and vision clips and underpinned by the correct use of the technology. 

Although the story itself is simplistic, the utilisation of ICT enhances, not only the narrative but more importantly the learning.  Armitage describes how ‘’teaching and learning resources should be used to promote and enhance student learning‘’ (Armitage, 2007 third edition page 109)  and this presentation is a prime example of how this can be achieved.

The Ted talks as an educational resource certainly enhanced my learning experience and encouraged me to explore further the subjects being discussed.  This is a resource I feel sure I will utilise again in the future.

I hope you enjoy the clip

Reference

Armitage, A et al (2007) Teaching and Training in Post Compulsory Education, 3rd edition
Milton Keynes: O U Press