12. MY PROGRESS SO FAR

Well...I have come a long, long way since my first blog. I have indeed been on a technological journey of discovery, and I am amazed at how much I have learned. I have come out of the darkness of complete and utter chaos, panic and ignorance. Out of the 20th century, and feeling, lately, like I am very much part of the 21st - and it's exciting! I am 'literally' moving out of the darkness, out and into the cloud - (yes, I do know what that means) If I can embrace technology and challenge myself to do better...then we all can. We all must!

Mobile technology, teaching and learning are our future. Let's enjoy the journey - it's only just begun.

11. BARRIERS TO THE EFFECTIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION (iii)

Despite the global changes occurring within the world of education and mobile technology, there are still many barriers to effecting those changes, so that all citizens may benefit equally.

One of the first barriers is lack of vision: Lack of vision and lack of good leadership can create barriers in educational institutions 'keeping up'. It takes good leadership to say, "Teachers, we are going to use technology in our school - and that is not optional". However, if the leadership says, "Teachers, we are going to use technology in our school, but you decide how and when", then failure to adopt is assured. So, when technologies are adopted, full support networks need to be in place for training and monitoring. These are the themes being discussed and addressed at the BETT conference this week in London.

People like me, who, as I mentioned in my first blog, come from the 'chalk and board', "have you remembered your text book", era of teaching and learning, will find change a difficult thing too embrace at first. Support and training is absolutely essential in getting (often older) individuals to have the confidence and the inclination to change their attitudes and, even more challenging, their old 'tried and tested ' methods. Their fear of the unknown and their fear of failure are very real barriers to overcome. Ignorance and lack of technological knowledge should no longer be an excuse; and this will only be possible, if there is easy, supportive access, that is embedded in to each and every school, college,or learning institution.  

Of course, aside from the cultural and socio-economic barriers; lack of resources and lack of proper spending and investment in the right areas, can contribute to an apathy to the effectiveness of new technologies. 

"The future is already here; it is just not evenly distributed"

(William Gibson)

This is so true! The problem, and the irony is, that mobile technology has the ability to change the future of all our lives for the better; not just in terms of education, but the effects of having an educated world, will create opportunities to improve the socio-economic, political and intellectual landscape for everyone. Those boundaries that imprison people to poverty, ignorance, and war, are the barriers that deny all people access to the freedom of knowledge via mobile technology. Easy access to education for all, that is the new challenge for the 21st century.




References and sources:

http://www.slideshare.net/ghenrick/breaking-down-the-barriers-to-learning-technology-imoot-2012-keynote?qid=5db0b9fa-017d-4307-b892-4d1be7680e35&v=default&b=&from_search=6

Brown University:Sheridan Centre for Teaching and Learning.
http://www.brown.edu/academics

Younie S, Leask,M.(2013) Teaching With Technologies.Oxford University Press.

Sharples,M.Taylor,J.Vavoula,G. A Theory of Learning for the Mobile Age. Sage Publications (2006)

10. HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED THE WAY WE LEARN (ii)

‘A society which is mobile, which is full of channels for the distribution of a
change occurring anywhere, must see to it that its members are educated to
personal initiative and adaptability. Otherwise, they will be overwhelmed by
the changes in which they are caught and whose significance or connections
they do not perceive.’ Dewey (1916, p. 88)


When John Dewey wrote Democracy and Education, the industrialised world was
undergoing a huge technological and social disruption. Railways and paved roads had enabled mass travel, wireless communication had bridged the Atlantic, and a mechanised war was being fought across continents. Today, we are experiencing similar social and technological disruption, with the Internet and mobile technologies providing global access to information and mobility of knowledge. Ten years ago a school in Russia teaching English had no access to contemporary language sources; now it has the worldwide web. Five years ago, a farmer in rural Kenya had no communication with the nearest city, now he carries a mobile phone. We live in a society in which the “channels for distribution of change” are carried with us as part of daily life.

 Over the span of few decades, the education structure and ways of imparting education have undergone massive changes. With the advent of digital devices and education oriented online programs & applications, the essence of the education system has been completely redefined. New opportunities are emerging for stimulating, provoking and engaging students. With the proliferation of digital devices and their apps designed for novel interaction with educative content, coupled with ubiquitous and omnipresent communication capabilities. However, the effective use of technology will now require thoughtful planning and consideration for the future, and with reference to my previous blog, this is why the main themes of the BETT conference being held this month , will be dealing with future embedding  and implementation of mobile technology,  not just a new padagogy, but as a new way of educating the world.

Technology oriented education has also penetrated the boundaries of renowned institutions in order to enhance the effectiveness of teaching methodologies. By coupling technology with traditional teaching approach, educators have become stronger than ever before and are preparing the students in an effectual way. There are many applications that help faculties who are looking forward to explore their options with mobile devices in order to support their learning and teaching objectives.

This new way of learning has now become a strong global force indulged in shrinking the world at one’s fingertips...and seeing the world at the touch of a button, or the blink of an eye.

...education is changing and we must change with it. Teachers must recognise their new and changing roles, and become facilitators of learning. But let us not forget...

"Any teacher that can be replaced by a computer, deserves to be."

David Thornberg 

References:

Brown University:Sheridan Centre for Teaching and Learning.
http://www.brown.edu/academics

Younie S, Leask,M.(2013) Teaching With Technologies.Oxford University Press.

Sharples,M.Taylor,J.Vavoula,G. A Theory of Learning for the Mobile Age. Sage Publications (2006)

9. THE VALUE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING.

Mobile technology has mobilised human interaction in all dimensions, by supporting mobile collaboration. Collaboration is the key word, and it is widely acknowledged that this is the future of learning in the 21st century teaching and learning environment. BETT, the worlds leading learning technology event, has been bringing innovation and inspiration to the education sector for over 30 years. Collaboration was the 'buzz' word last year...The opinion was pretty much unanimous:

" education of children by children, equal access for all, globally linked and teaching each other. The teacher will become evermore the 'facilitator' enabling collaboration between students for a brighter future and more sustainable world."

The value of connecting everyone and everything worldwide, has already paid dividends, and been firmly acknowledged in terms of teaching and learning opportunities. This year, in recognition of the massive(as yet unfulfilled) potential, and support benefits that mobile technology can have (and are having) on education; BETT (along with a general world consensus) recognise the value of ensuring that the teaching environment is aware and prepared for the future of learning - because mobile technology and education is all of our future!

Main Themes For 2015

• Future-proofing your university:meeting the next generation of student expectations
• The changing landscape of technology in Higher Education
• Behaviour change: creating a community to encourage educators to adopt technology and change pedagogy.
• Business forum: maintaining your institution's competitiveness
• Mobile technology: Utilising and integrating to improve teaching and learning. 

http://www.bettshow.com/Content/whats-on-at-bett-2015

Today, one can witness asynchronous technology helping and teaching students from across the globe. The use of smart mobile devices has brought the world at a juncture from where technology oriented learning has taken precedence. Mobile devices; the latest tablets and smart phones, today, define the future of education, with a deluge of learning oriented applications which have brought education to the fingertips of those interested in extensive learning.

Innovations in education technology vastly and continuously impove the lives of millions across the globe.

With the advent of Podcasts, eBooks and other technologies, we have achieved the feasibility to provide education that will vastly assist communities and individuals in the places which are under-served by traditional bricks and mortar institutions. However, the focus must always be on achieving the objectives of education and development, and not about popularizing the gadgets or applications.






References:

Brown University:Sheridan Centre for Teaching and Learning.
http://www.brown.edu/academics

Younie S, Leask,M.(2013) Teaching With Technologies.Oxford University Press.

Sharples,M.Taylor,J.Vavoula,G. A Theory of Learning for the Mobile Age. Sage Publications (2006)