http://www.enhancingfieldwork.org.uk Twitter: @fieldwork_ntf

Derek France1, Julian Park2, Brian Whalley3, Alice Mauchline2, Victoria Powell1, Katharine Welsh1

1 University of Chester, 2 University of Reading, 3 University of Sheffield

HEA Event in Technology Enhanced Learning in Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Open University, July 2013

Technology Enhanced Learning for Fieldwork

• Participants given opportunity to download and trial apps to their own device

• Explain how technology has been utilised to enhance and inspire student research

• Demonstrate the transferability of technology across disciplines

• Provide an opportunity for delegates to practice using new apps that can improve their research skills

Objectives of Workshop

• QR Reader

• Skitch

• FieldTripGB

Apps to download for this session

Ice breaker…..

Form a line up of all workshop participants …

– by date of birth Jan 1st to Dec 31st

You have 2 minutes

– Your understanding, experience and application of mobile technologies to enhance student learningYou have 2 minutes

Project Outline• 3-year National Teaching Fellowship project• Funded by the Higher Education Academy in the UK• Cross-disciplinary: Geography, Earth and

Environmental Sciences, Geology, Biosciences and allied subjects

Aims of the Project• to enhance student learning in fieldwork

through the use of technology• to focus on hardware and software that

may enhance learning• to gather and share good practice of

fieldwork

Rationale

“only building upon the possibility opened up by digital technology can we ensure that education will triumph ” (Lord Putnam, Handheld Learning Conference, 2008) “mobile technologies have opened up

exciting new possibilities for study in higher education” Macdonald & Creanor, 2010, p.1)

“the use of digital technologies changes the meaning of the learning activity, subtly or profoundly” Beetham and Sharpe (2007, p.33)

“Most undergraduate students coming into Higher Education have a smartphone or mobile device” (Welsh & France, 2012).

Recent undergraduate student study (Woodcock et al., 2012) found that many students who own smartphones are “largely unaware of their potential to support learning” but importantly, found that they are, “interested in and open to the potential as they become familiar with the possibilities”.

Activity 1Which of the following mobile devices have you/your Department used during

fieldwork?

PollEverywhere• Poll via text, twitter

or link (QR code)

Using iPads for sketchingActivity 2

Open the skitch app….and select either a photo from the camera role or take a new photograph. Using the selected photo, add appropriate labels and annotations of your choice.

5 mins plus verbal feedback

1. Lack of time to implement new technology2. Cost of technology/limited resources3. Limited staff/student technology skills

Results of International Practitioners Survey 2011:

1. Increase speed and volume of data collection2. To enable students to begin analysis during field trip3. Improve digital literacy of students

Why was this technology introduced?

What are the barriers to using technology in fieldwork?

Welsh, K. E. et al. (2013): Enhancing fieldwork learning with technology: practitioner's perspectives, Journal of Geography in Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/03098265.2013.792042

Netbooks

• "Convenient, small device to travel with"• "Easy to tabulate results and present findings"• "Able to backup work"• Resource gathering for presentations• Used for Internet, ARCGIS, spreadsheets, PDFs

• Disliked software choice - Open Office

• Disliked sharing the devices

LiveScribe Pens

• Easy dictionary tool

• "Made synthesising notes easier"

• "Got key quotes for our presentation by referring back to the pen"

• An inexpensive tool students may decide to purchase for note-taking in lectures or interviews

General iPad2 Use

• Easier data collection and instant data processing

• "Collating, analysing and presenting data was more convenient and appealing"

• "Easier to use than expected"

• "Really useful for annotating maps and photos"

• "Over the week I got used to using the iPad at every chance and it enhanced my learning and skills"

FieldtripGBEDINA geo-referencing app

• Create a form online• Download app to

smartphone/tablet• Login to Dropbox

Account• Start capturing data• Sync to multiple

devices & computer

Activity 3FieldtripGB – Describe your Skitch

1. Log into FieldtripGB using the Dropbox account: fieldtripgb@gmail.com2. & 3. Use the Capture form provided 4. Sync the account on the Home Page

14

2

3

• Dropbox, SugarSync

• GPS Log, GeoSpike, CityMaps2Go, Google Earth, FieldTripGB

• PollDaddy, iGeology

• Twitter, Skype

• Skitch, Splice, Fotobabble, Panoramio, Photosynth, Flickr, Camera

• Pages, Numbers, Keynote, GoodReader

• iTalk, iCelcius,

Apps

Activity 4How can technology enhance fieldwork?

Challenge cards• Risks

• BYOD

• Suggestions?

Success cards• Examples

• Skills development

• Use of technology

Jarvis & Dickie (2010)Video podcasting of field methods

Scott et al. (2009)Virtual Field Guide

Netskills (2011)Using QR codes to add layers of

information to locations

Cremona et al. (2011)Using shared spreadsheets on Smartphones & Tablets

Welsh et al. (2012)Geotagging photographs

France & Wakefield (2011)Digital storytelling

Case Studies

Action Plan

• What have I learnt?• What I am going to do next?

– What will I have changed in 6 months?

• What 3 things can you feedback to other students about the using mobile technologies in your learning?

Ways to Get Involved:

1. Submit a case study of successful fieldwork practice, to the website

2. Residential Showcase Event in FSC RHYD-Y-CREUAU, Betws y coed, North Wales, UK, 13-15 September 2013. Email d.france@chester.ac.uk

3. THE FUTURE of Enhancing Fieldwork Learning project 2014: key sponsor British Ecological Society

4. Talk to us about organising your own Hack Event to develop fieldwork apps suitable for your department

Take a look at our website: http://www.enhancingfieldwork.org.uk or Contact Professor Derek France (d.france@chester.ac.uk) for more information.

http://www.enhancingfieldwork.org.uk Twitter: @fieldwork_ntf

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