Session 1 Technology Enabled Learning (TeL) & Future of Learning Higher Education

This session introduces the theoretical underpinnings of technology-enabled Learning and how technology is changing the way we learn in Higher Education and the future. Relatable resources were made available in this session, which included videos and reading materials. 

This blog is part of the learning activity that we need to create, as ED403 students, to provide a brief reflection on the session.

Session Discussion Topic:

Discuss what new knowledge you have gained from reviewing the various videos and other resources from the introductory session. Explore how you think learning technologies will influence learning and the future of Higher Education globally and regionally (Pacific Islands context).

Week 1:
Reading through the resources online on the use of technology made me rethink my way of teaching. When considering using new technologies or an alternative delivery method, it will allow me to rethink my teaching, perhaps to be able to tackle some of the limitations of classroom teaching and to renew my approach to teaching. 
One of the ways that I believe would help me in the rethinking process is to think of how I can build a rich learning environment for the courses that I teach. This may include:
1.     Integrating design principles within a rich learning environment
2.     Learner characteristics
3.     Managing content
4.     Developing skills
5.     Learner support
6.     Resources
7.     Assessment of learning

Reading through the three (3) theoretical frameworks that focus on learning and teaching, several benefits have been gained from their applications:

Community of Inquiry:

• Collaboration

• Open Communication

Source: University of Buffalo

 
TPACK:

• improving teacher competency facilitates active learning, enhances student engagement, and integrates pedagogical, content, and technological elements in teaching and learning processes.

     Source: edtech-class.com 

 
TIM:

• a harmonious relationship among curriculum demands, student needs, and technology integration.

                                Source: Florida Centre for Instructional Technology

 
Week 2:
 
In the past decades, it is clearly understood that the integration of learning technologies in teaching and learning has increased within the higher education sector. Such technologies would include the use of Microsoft software, hardware like PCs, computers, laptops, multimedia projectors, and the use of internet applications or search engines like Google, Wikipedia, Twitter, etc.

For students, I believe that incorporating learning technologies into the classroom helps students gain capacities in information assessment, cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.

    Source:fordhamram.com 

For educators, the utilization of technologies can enhance the caliber of instruction by giving educators access to possibilities for professional growth. Furthermore, instructors now have flexible online learning options and the chance to modify and customize information to fit their teaching styles thanks to disruptive technologies like Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
Most educators think that incorporating learning technologies into their lessons would greatly improve their effectiveness. More precisely, they emphasized that incorporating learning technologies into their teaching methods would provide more opportunities for student engagement, which means that educational technology gives students opportunities to grow creatively and improve their critical thinking, reasoning, communication, and other higher-order thinking abilities.

                                                            Source:edWeb.net 

Technology integration improves both student and faculty flexibility in terms of learning modes while also enabling teachers to accommodate individual diversity in students' accomplishments, learning styles, and skills. The incorporation of technology into the classroom not only gives students and faculty greater freedom in terms of learning techniques, but also enables instructors to accept individual differences in students' successes, learning styles, and talents.

Hope you enjoyed reading my blog on Session 1 reflections. 

Reference:
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M. A., & Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review. Sustainable Operations and Computers, 3, 275–285. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.05.004