How can we use technology to enhance learning? (LEARNING FUTURES - NITA'S STORY) скачать в хорошем качестве

How can we use technology to enhance learning? (LEARNING FUTURES - NITA'S STORY)

Learning Futures is an ambitious and exciting programme designed to support governors, leaders, teachers and trainers to inspire learning through the effective use of technology. The programme aims to produce resources and processes that will: Support governing bodies and boards, leadership teams and managers to make informed decisions concerning the resourcing and implementation of learning technology; Develop the confidence and expertise of teachers, trainers and assessors to design effective technology enabled learning opportunities; Support teachers, trainers and assessors to work collaboratively with technical teams to deliver effective online learning; Engage employers in the design and delivery of vocational programmes to ensure access to industry-standard technology which supports a clear line of sight to work. LEARNING FUTURES - NITA'S STORY "Meet Nita. Nita loves the subject she teaches and she’s passionate about launching the careers of her learners. Her contact time is limited, so she wants to ensure her learners get the most from her - so that thcey achieve the best grades they can. She is sure technology can help her – but she doesn’t know where to start. But let’s stop thinking about teaching and technology for a moment and focus on learning. Take a moment to reflect on the real-world skills you use everyday to do your job effectively. How did you learn them? Why did you learn them? Where did you learn them? We live in a world of projects. Whether it's a job assignment, DIY or planning a party. We identify problems that need solving and actively learn the skills required. We do this through reading and watching instructions on the internet or in books, talking to others – but mainly by completing the task, stretching ourselves and learning from the experience. Nita has been thinking about how she can make use of technology to model real-life learning to prepare her learners for the world of work. Meet Sanj. Sanj is one of Nita’s learners. Sanj’s learning isn’t restricted by his lesson timetable. He completes projects assigned to him, working in his own way towards the deadline – sometimes on his own, more often as part of a team. Nita and Sanj use technology to ensure his learning is effective and structured. At the start of each project, Sanj agrees a project plan with Nita and together they work out where the gaps are in his knowledge and skills – and how best to acquire them. This project plan is recorded on a project management tool, which both Nita and Sanj can access online via computer or mobile device. This gives Sanj milestones to work towards, and supports his productivity. During the project, Nita and her learners share and rate resources they find online that support knowledge creation. Together they are creating an up-to-date course handbook on the web that can be accessed 24/7. Sanj likes to use his bus journey to catch up on the latest videos and blogs. Each learner also creates their own resources by sharing knowledge gained from work experience. By actively contributing to the collective intelligence of the class, learners can earn badges that contribute to their grade. Sanj has been encouraged and supported in developing a network of fellow learners that stretches way beyond his provider. He has collaborated on projects with learners from all around the world – and been in regular contact with some of the leading experts in the field, through their blogs and social media. Nita facilitates online discussions, sometimes hosted by invited experts. Learners also submit their work-in-progress for online critiques from staff, learners and invited experts. Nita uses one-to-one time to focus on the competencies Sanj is developing by completing the course work in this way. She helps him unpick the way he is learning, so that he can transfer these skills to any problem. Sanj brings evidence of his learning – in the form of photographs, notes and videos – all captured on his mobile device. In this way, he becomes expert in his own learning and explaining how his expertise is being developed – vital skills when it comes up-skilling in the workplace, and job applications. Nita still brings learners together in the classroom, but these lessons take the form of workshops. She feels like she able to share her expertise in a way that enriches the overall learning experience – her own learning experience as much as the learners. This isn’t the future of learning. This is learning enhanced and enriched by the technology available now. Nita’s story is about learning design and some deep thinking about how her learners can get the most from the window of time they have with her. It is about equipping learners with the key skills they need to survive in a world of constant change. This isn’t the future of learning this is learning for the future."