Engaging Learners with New Strategies and Tools
Strategies and Tools for Engaging Learners
The technological tools that are being used outside the classroom to engage learners are things they use everyday. According to Siemens the use of tools and technologies familiar to learners; educators may be able to foster high levels of learner engagement required for effective learning (Siemens, 2008). The following technological tools and strategies can be used in learning environment to maximize learner engagement.
Content must be explicit. A detail syllabus should clearly define the course expectations and assignment guidelines (Durrington, Berryhill, and Swafford, 2006). Podcast and Online videos can provide depth and clarification for courses. Assessment rubrics will provide learners with specific requirements to follow for each assignment.
Communication has created opportunities for students to autonomously, self-direct the learning experience (Siemens, 2008). Communication is essential in any learning environment. Many technologies like Skype, chat rooms and cell phone have provided us with instant synchronous communication. Emails allow us to communicate with individual and groups informally.
Collaboration allows learners to express their opinions and showcase their work. The Wikis and Blogs are common places where learners can create, share, and transfer information/knowledge. These technologies can be access from the Internet and groups can meet for small group assignments and problem-based learning to collaborate.
There are so many new technological tools and strategies available today. As educators when have to decide which tool or strategy is best for our audience. I mean what’s available to all learners and how comfort they are using each of the technologies.
References:
Siemens, G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for
educators and designers. ITForum.
Durrington, V. A., Berryhill, A., & Swafford, J. (2006). Strategies for enhancing student
interactivity in an online environment. College Teaching, 54(1), 190-193. Use the
Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article's Accession Number:
19754742.
I read a blog about engaging adult learners. It said how you can use Facebook to keep in touch and tutor adult learners. It also mention how you can use mobile technology to keep learners engage. It said that not every one sits in front of the computer all day but everyone has a cell phone. I think these are great ideas to help keep adult engaged in the learning process.
Engaging adult learners http://technologylearnervoice.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/engaging-adult-learners
Kayla,
ReplyDeleteIt is true that the tools that are used to engage learners are tools that they often use everyday. I feel that instructors and educators of all areas must be willing to find different ways to use the same old technology that way the learning of technology stays fresh and new instead of becoming old and boring. Technology was never meant to just exist along side things that we use everyday. Technology is a means to make what we do everyday a little bit easier.
Ametha Williams