Turning A Negative Into A Positive With

Modern Electronic Technologies

Michael PiczakNafia Al-Mutawaly

Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario

Past & the Future

• Miniaturization• Portability/mobility• Power• Internet• Convergence• Pranav Mistry• ???????? ???????

2

So, What Is The Problem?

• Device more interesting than front of room

• Multitasking• A distraction• Less time on task• They are ‘bored’ (Michael Wesch)

3

Ubiquitously Addictive

Hardware/SoftwareCell/smart phones wwwmp3 players FacebookTablets InstagramLaptops Texting?????? Twitter

4

Device Extensification • Average student owns 6.9 devices• 90%+ cell/smart phone• 85% laptops• 36% tablets• 33% consoles, e-readers, ipods

5

Worse Before Getting Better

  2012 2017 Growth

Internet users

2.3 billion

3.6 billion

56%

Global devices or connections

12 billion 19 billion 58%

Internet video users

1 billion 2 billion 100%

6

They do this…

• Students see selves as great multitaskers• Distraction (gaming, facebooking, unrelated video, texting)

• Missed call• Negative impact on student performance• Plagiarism, academic dishonesty• Testing situations

7

We do that…

• Outright ban• Instructor discretion• Course outline language• Department policy• Permitted for emergencies• No policy• Rethinking for use to advantage

8

Challenge vs. Opportunity

Leveraging the power of instant access to all knowledge in classroom setting

Entertainment/social value of devices

Bringing the world into the classroom Data available at students’ fingertips Instructor access spectrum of resources Participation in class (www.tophat.com)

9

Bloom’s Two Sigma Problem• 2 ∂’s of improvement = tutorial instruction

• 1 ∂ of improvement = reinforcement corrective feedback cues & explanations classroom participation improved reading skills time on task

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Time On Task

• Using devices to improve time on task by:

Notetaking Instantly accessing history/background/proofs

Performing calculations, demonstrations, plotting data

Accessing open courseware (Khan Academy) Polling Digital smart board capture Podcasting Testing Instant communication with prof

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Other Benefits• Promote engagement• Improve student attitudes• Elevate student learning• Catalyze continued learning• A classroom of sages• Variety • Active

12

Pedagogical Circumstance

Pre-class Planning LMSs (D2L, moodle, BB)

Universal access Deliver content E-portfolios Administration of regularized,

randomized tests Grading with instant feedback Communication with students Engagement/attachment to course(Dr. Joe Kim, McMaster University)

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Pedagogical Circumstance

In-class• Teach using a cool device• Real time access to course materials, assignments, projects during lecture/lab

• Assigning truth, fact checker to students• Use digital devices for labs, field experiments, simulations, tests, presentations

• Remote lecture delivery via skype, Webex• Clickers/polling via mobile device

14

Pedagogical Circumstance

Post-class• Learning begins after class• Reinforce class with:

Complete set of notes showing what ‘A’ looks like

Sharing comprehensive set of student produced notes

Lecture capture, digital smart board uploads Camtasia produced video for ‘in other words’ and repeated viewing

Recording links for synchronous classes

15

Pedagogical Circumstance

Student Assessment• Delivering and managing on-line evaluation devices

• Dropbox with auto grade administration

• Audio feedback via LMS permitting individualized comments

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Conclusions & Recommendations• Digital train leaving station, students on the ride AND time for professors to get on board

• Capitalize on digital technology to satisfy current generation expectations/modalities by: Using TAs to develop digital course materials Staying close to technology & force adoption Integrating digital technologies into lab/course work Learning from the students Crafting/enforcing policy for digital technology under

different conditions (class vs. exams)• Future classroom (larger, MOOC, student responsibility)

17

Turning A Negative Into A Positive With

Modern Electronic Technologies

Michael PiczakNafia Al-Mutawaly

Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario