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Learning and teaching with technology.

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Using technology to enhance and support learning shouldn't surprise teachers. After all, developing and making use of technology is nothing new. People of all civilisations across the world have devised technological solutions to enhance everyday life activity or to solve problems.

The Abacus is, after all, a very simple calculator.

The opening ceremony to the London 2012 Olympics reminded us how the technology of the industrial revolution changed the way we lived and worked. By the middle of the 20th century, technology such radio and telephone communication were established; television was emerging and Alan Turing had published his papers on ‘computable numbers’ and ‘thinking machines’. As the century drew to a close these technologies had become an indispensable feature in our homes home, places of work and education.

Much of the technology used today is still based on the technological concepts established in the 20th Century.

So, in the early 21st Century, how can technology help teachers / tutors engage extend and empower learner?

The Difference Between Technology Use And Technology Integration. Bring TeachThought Professional Development To Your School! The Difference Between Technology Use And Technology Integration by TeachThought Staff Using technology for learning makes sense. Technology creates access, transparency, and opportunity. Any smartphone or tablet is media incarnate–video, animation, eBooks, essays, blog posts, messages, music, games. But there is a difference, claims this graphic from teachbytes, between using technology and integrating it deeply into the learning experiences of students.

This is not a new idea, but what makes this graphic useful is the indicators offered that clarify Dos and Don’ts–kind of like an educator’s Goofus and Gallant. Goofus gives iPad to students so that they can Google topics for a “research paper.” Gallant helps students design their own open-ended and collaborative learning experiences, and uses apps like Behance or Storehouse to share them with the world. Technology usage is random, arbitrary, and often an afterthought.

OER's

Jisc Resources. Technology on the Horizon. Jisc Inform / Issue 40, Summer 2014 | #jiscinform | Engaging Students. Universities, colleges and other learning providers are working round the clock to demonstrate the value of their support services to students. And yet research suggests that students may be missing out because they’re not visiting them or simply aren’t aware of them. Allen Crawford-Thomas, e-learning adviser at Jisc’s Regional Support Centre (RSC) in the West Midlands, believes that there is often a cultural gap between students and staff that learning providers need to bridge.

He says: “Some people may think ‘isn’t it easier to do what we’ve always been doing?’ But today's learners are used to multiple layers of information constantly streaming at them. They are very comfortable with audio and with film. “[Learners] may want to receive information very differently from the way we’ve traditionally provided it.” Allen Crawford-Thomas, e-learning adviser at Jisc RSC West Midlands. 20 collaborative Google Apps activities for schools. Google Apps are collaborative, which makes them highly powerful.

They offer opportunities for students to engage unlike ever before. Here are 20 ideas. Google Apps is beginning to revolutionize education. With its highly collaborative, online/offline format — and its attractive price tag (free!) — many schools, businesses and other organizations are ditching their expensive, clunky software for this powerful suite of tools. The way that Google Apps is interactive and easy to share is powerful. There’s so much you can do with these apps in class to get students — AND teachers — working together. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

What are other ways to use Google Apps to help students, teachers and others at schools collaborate? (For notifications of new Ditch That Textbook content and helpful links, “like” Ditch That Textbook on Facebook and follow @jmattmiller on Twitter!) Related Google Apps "GAFE Smashing" activities -- Part 1: Dynamic Docs In "Ed Tech"

Useful Publications

Technology to create a ‘lean forward’ experience for learners. Friday, 29 November 2013 12:02 Not for the first time, there’s a sense in the further education and skills sector that everything is in a state of flux. Government initiatives like New Challenges, New Chances and Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills are setting a vision for a world-class education system and a responsive, flexible FE and skills sector. The aim is to put learners at the heart of the education system while, at the same time, disruptive technologies (think smart devices and cloud computing) are challenging the way we think about teaching and learning. Though it sounds like a fresh round of change, putting learners first and delivering creative and flexible learning experiences is what most teachers aim for.

In broadcasting, interactive television is bringing this proactive, lean forward approach into sharper focus. Of course, taking inspiration from television doesn't mean we need to sign up for a part-time course in TV directing! Education And The Future of Technology.