DESIGNING AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING SPACE & GIVING TECHNOLOGICAL GUIDANCE AND ADVICE TO ACADEMIC STAFF FOR USE IN THEIR CURRICULA

12 August 2009

Marius Pienaar

PHASES / MAIN POINTS

Designing an effective learning space

Technology in the

classroom

Technology outside the classroom

EFFECTIVE LEARNING SPACE It includes much more than just room height, width,

and depth. One has to consider how the room matches the

teaching and learning activities for the curriculum. For example, does the teaching activities require an interactive U-shaped table, etc?

Other key elements: lighting, sound reinforcement and insulation, table and chair ergonomics, line of site and projection screen placement, and technology equipment considerations.

All of these elements must be considered in an interactive way.

DESIGNING AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING SPACE

Use what is available

Board & screen vissible (not just in front of room)

Desk layout & compilation (trapesium)

Equipment that makes teaching and learning more

effective

DESIGNING AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING SPACE

Use of modern technology in the

classroom

Wi-Fi spot

Traditional/Old style (flipchart, overhead

projectors, etc)

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

Wi-Fi

Internet

PDA

Cellphones

PC & DATA

PROJECTOR

Sound

Video

ICT

Net suppor

t school

TECHNOLOGY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Mobile technology ICT

TECHNOLOGY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM: MOBILE TECHNOLOGY Wireless, user-friendly, easy to manage features like PDAs

have become very powerful in teaching and learning Can enhance fields like: Tourist guides, researchers, natural sciences, lecturers,

developers, maths, biology, assessing learners, etc. Applications: Admin tool Word processor Excel spreadsheets PPTs Graphic display Video clips Web browsing Email usage GPS Wi-Fi

TECHNOLOGY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM: ICT

E-learning is used for web-based distance education, with no face-to-face interaction. It may include all types of technology-enhanced learning, where technology is used to support the learning process.

Lately in most universities, e-learning is used to define a specific mode to attend a course or programmes of study where the students rarely or never meet face-to-face, nor access on-campus educational facilities, because they study online.

E-learning can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face teaching, in which case the term Blended learning is commonly used.

GOALS AND BENEFITS OF E-LEARNING

Designed to guide students through information or to help students perform in specific tasks.

Reducing environmental impact: reduction of paper usage.

Quality education, made affordable: lecturers can share their knowledge across borders. This can drastically reduce the costs of higher education.

Convenience and flexibility to learners: self-paced and the learning sessions are available 24x7. Learners are not bound to a specific day/time to physically attend classes. They can also pause learning sessions at their convenience.

HIGHER EDUCATION AND E-LEARNING

The Sloan report, based on a poll of academic leaders, says that students generally appear to be at least as satisfied with their on-line classes as they are with traditional ones.

Private institutions may become more involved with on-line presentations as the cost of instituting such a system decreases.

Properly trained staff must also be hired to work with students on-line. These staff members need to understand the content area, and also be highly trained in the use of the computer and Internet.

Online education is rapidly increasing.

PEDAGOGICAL ELEMENTS OF E-LEARNING

Pedagogical elements could be a lesson, an assignment, a multiple choice question, a quiz, a discussion group or a case study.

Simple pedagogical approaches make it easy to create content.

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES USED IN E-LEARNING

Communication technologies include activities such as blogs, wikis, and discussion boards.

USAGES FOR THE ABOVE

Study & lecturer guides Assessments: semester tests, examinations,

assignments Course Outlines Previous assessments Communication: email, blogs, forums Video & sound clips PPTs Online submission and assessment of work

CONCLUSION

Effective teaching and learning at TUT

Technology outside

the classroom

Technology in the classroo

m

Designing an

effective learning space