Sulaymon Tajudeen’s digital teaching and learning Portfolio
PART 1
This is part of my higher pedagogy education course at Edulab, Vaasa. See here for more information.
Digital learning and teaching in my opinion
Digital and teaching and learning is a kind of teaching and learning that is carried out either entirely or partly digitally by using the available technological tools and platforms. Additionally, digital learning and teaching can be experienced in different ways such as blended mode or by only using classroom technologies. Nowadays, there are different implementation methods used in practice. This includes but not limited to using digital tools to complete part of a course like group assignments, online group discussion about topics being taught in the classroom, using massive open online courses, using digital learning materials such as e-book, e-journal and so on, mobile learning, personalized learning, gamified learning, adaptive learning, using high-tech gadgets/technologies such as XR technologies (Augmented and Virtual Reality and so on) in teaching and learning using.
Is learning a process or result?
In my opinion, I believe learning is a process. It does not happen in a blink of an eye but over a period of time. In especially digital teaching and learning environment, I believe both teachers and students needs to pass through different processes and stages to complete even one lesson online. The processes involves both technological tools, platforms, and technical know-hows. Teachers for example need to understand teaching in a digital environment is different than in regular classrooms, so is the students. Teachers must remember that the entire process of learning by students in a digital is very important aspect of the entire learning experience for students. Imagine if a student just experiences difficulty in signing into the digital learning environment due to several problems such as wrong credentials, poor internet network, lack of technical know-how and so on. The beginning of the learning process already is a nice one hence the entire learning process for the students might not be equally good.
Impact of digital technology on learning and teaching?
In modern-day, virtually every form of teaching and learning make use of modern-day technologies for various reasons. The plethora of technological innovations, tools and platform comes with ample if not unlimited possibilities of using digital technology in learning and teaching. According to academic research by Henderson, Selwyn, N. & Aston, R. in 2017, Many students have developed different forms of cultures and practices to different technological tools and platforms. They come up with different distinct digital practices and cultures that students and teachers have associated with different technologies, tools and platforms. For example, tools like Moodle and other learning management systems (LMSs) have impacted the ways to manage and organize studying logistics, students and teachers can manage schedules, timetables, course requirements and so on using these technologies.
In terms of communication and collaboration for learning and teaching, technologies and platforms like Facebook, Google docs and other social media platforms have impacted the way both teachers and students now collaborate and communicate.
The era of physical books stacked nicely on the university library shelves are equally changing. Various forms of digital tools and platforms such as online videos platform like YouTube, Wikipedia, online databases for academic research, industrial blogs and so on have impacted ways students and teachers augment university learning materials. Students even have access nowadays to study materials from outside own universities. The online video platforms for example made students to be comfortable with not missing any details of what is being taught since they can replay the recorded session and watch as many times as they want at different speed. The online material database such as e-library, e-journal and online articles have made it possible for both teachers and students to save more money on learning and teaching materials.
How about students’ evaluation and feedback, technological tools and platforms like online quiz platforms and mobile apps, in-class polling have impacted the ways students are evaluated nowadays and the way teachers equally get feedback gauge and sense of progress of their students. These tools have made it possible to embrace formative assessment approach of evaluating students which is instant, immediate and faster forms of feedback and students’ evaluation approach as against the traditional summative approach.
Modern day digital tools and technologies have equally impacted how students can complete tasks and assignments. Tools like Microsoft word-processing software, online platform like Google docs with collaborative features have made completing basic task by students easier for both teachers and students. Since teachers are well can equally access the completed assignments digitally for grading and feedback. Students and teachers equally believe these tools and technologies equally save time since students can get faster grading and evaluation when they complete their course tasks online.
In terms of accessing research and academic information, many online academic and research databases have impacted the way students and teachers access research and academic information. In some fields, like engineering and health, dedicated online databased have been created to make research and academic information readily available for anyone interested in those. For example, IEEE Xplore an online research database is centered around research about engineering while PubMed is about medical research.
My teaching methods and why I chose those
In the previous paragraphs, I have discussed a number of technological tools and platforms that are changing the landscape of learning and teaching. However, it must be noted that the majority of benefits derived from the technological tools and platforms mostly depend on the teaching and learning methods employed. No doubt that the digital technology helps learning and teaching in many ways. However, much emphasis and attention must be channeled to the learning and teaching methods.
to be continued …
Reference:
Henderson, M., Selwyn, N. & Aston, R. (2017). What works and why? Student perceptions of ‘useful’ digital technology in university teaching and learning. Studies in Higher Education, Volume 42, 2017 — Issue 8.
