Page 169 - Microsoft Word - The Future of Learning April 2017.docx

157
An example of software that does achieve some of these outcomes is SeeSaw.182 This software is designed to allow learners to manage a ‘learning journal’ of their learning and make that work visible, allowing commentary for all stakeholders. In this way, the learner can potentially provide representation of their learning journey, as they develop increasing depth of conceptual understanding within each of the disciplines, competencies and the passions that they pursue.
Resource 68: SeeSaw Software
Learners should appreciate that the practicality of the Learning Process is not just in building their understanding within discrete disciplines or the competencies, but also in solving real-world problems across multiple disciplines that they are passionate about.
Devices
The use of tablet technology within schools is gaining significant ground, and many parents/caregivers are very supportive of this aspect of information and communications technologies (ICT) use. They perceive it as being indicative of a modern school environment. Technology has the potential to amplify the quality of learning while at the same time be a distractor.
Educators need to conduct a trial and collect data on how effective any technology initiative is that they are implementing, whether that is hardware or software, before the whole school buys into this. Researching whether innovations we wish to implement will be effective is referred to as Action Learning. Just because the learner is engaged does not mean quality learning is taking place.
The strategic goals for technology use in schools must be made clear within each institution. The purpose of any innovation in education is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of learning - end of discussion! Devices that are brought into schools via a BYOD approach must meet the learning needs of the learners, and communities will require clear criteria and advice in this domain. The device must support the Learning Process and not simply make student work look pretty or give the illusion that learners are ‘tech savvy’ just because they have a device and they can make ‘pretty’ presentations. Technology has huge potential to amplify education outcomes but only when its application is thoughtful and well researched.
The number of apps continues to grow exponentially and some are effective learning tools. However, many are not, therefore it is critical that we test their efficacy before making them part of any learning programme. Keeping the technology ecosystem simple makes it manageable for both learners and educators.
Technology is useful in so far as it can make boring, repetitive, rote-learning tasks more appealing, but the software needs to be well designed to meet even that outcome. One of the key aspects of technology is that learners need to be competent to extract the benefits that it offers.
182 SeeSaw.(2016) Retrieved from http://www.seesaw.me