Creating the webquest as a final project in this course demonstrated to me how technology could be used to reimagine learning. This project provided me with a practical tool that I could use again in the future.
In today's world, it is critical that students can communicate effectively in many different platforms. It is also important to master 21st century skills such as problem solving and critical thinking. In the webquest below, students learn how to make a video and use that knowledge to create a video lab report using data collected from an experiment they designed. It is my hope that students will become more engaged in the scientific process by effectively communicating a lab report using digital media.
Digitally -mediated teaching and learning – Course reflections.
In the beginning of this course we reflected on what digitally mediated learning is and how technology can be used to reimagine learning and not just digitize learning. I believe the challenge in education is to use technology that will effectively engage students, personalize their learning, and allow students to be more active learners. This course offered excellent examples of how technology could be used to reimagine learning. The creation of our webquest was just one example. In this course we also reflected on various learning theories and digital technology that could support the theory. The constructivist approach to learning was one I could relate to in my professional career. This theory allows students to build from previous knowledge and use inquiry to solve problem and draw conclusions. The teachers role is more of a mentor and the students are more active in learning (Ozola & Purvins, 2013). The digital tools that could support this learning theory could be project- based authentic learning models (PBL) and blended learning models. PBL allow students to build on prior knowledge and problems solve to complete a task. The blended learning model utilizes technology to deliver instruction but also includes face to face instruction to support technology. The trend in education is moving away from traditional teacher centered learning environment to more of a student centered environment. In order for students to acquire 21st century skills such as innovation, they need to be more active learners and have a say in how they are taught (Khan, 2011). Technology could be the key to bringing the gap between traditional instructions and providing personalized learning environments (U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology, 2010). Students have virtually unlimited access to technology in their personal lives. They communicate globally through social media, blog and create videos. Education should be an extension of this and would offer more resources that are available in the traditional classroom (U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology, 2010). Students should use the tools of professionals to prepare themselves for the global workforce. Blogs, wikis, digital communication, mathematical 3D modeling, gaming, and virtual world technologies are all effective integrations of technology that could increase student engagement and motivation. Having the opportunity to explore and use some of these technologies in this course provided me with useful insight and possible implementation in my classroom.
As a result of what was learned in this course, I will implement the use of blogs in my classroom as a digital collaboration tool. As a personal goal, I will continue to research and implement a flipped classroom blended technology model and utilize this format for blogs, I would also like to share webquests as a form of digital instruction with collegues.
How can technology be used to motivate and engage students to effectively improve learning?
References: Khan, S., (2011). Year 2060: Education predictions. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiKrFcgVSIU
Ozola & Purvins, 2013. Teaching /learning theories- how they are perceived in contemporary educational landscape. BCES Conference Proceedings, 133-138.
U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming American education: Learning powered by technology. Washington, DC.