Making learning cool
Synopsis
Birgit, formerly a Lecturer in computing at USQ, uses technology in all her teaching and was a trailblazer involved in several trials for new learning technologies.
Description
Technology is infused throughout Birgit's teaching practice. While at USQ, she ran the Camtasia user group as a member of the Learning Futures Innovations Institute, and was one of the coordinators of the USQ Elluminate trial. She was the driving force behind the trial of tablet PCs at USQ. In her teaching, Birgit used all these and experimented with more, including pocket PCs, wireless projectors and software such as Windows Live Messenger, Skype and Camtasia (screen-capture software) to create downloads suitable for iPods and 3G (ie video-capable) mobile phones.
Target audience
Birgit taught on large first year service courses including Foundation Computing (about 200 students), and first year Mathematics courses (60-100 students) run entirely at a distance.
Learning goals and objectives
Birgit's aim was to overcome the frustration of not being able to communicate quickly and clearly with distance students. Tablet PCs are ideal for Maths because they allow the user to hand-draw diagrams and symbols. Instant communication means students receive feedback on one stage of their work before going on to the next.. The interactive technology allows students to help one another and this reduced the part of Birgit's workload that was taken up with answering common questions.
Birgit commented that technological tools not only allow for flexible delivery, but are also fun and lively, and boost the "cool factor" of studying – for example through iPod delivery.
Results
Birgit did not really set goals in her use of these tools: she was experimenting with them to see what they could do. Some of her expectations were exceeded – for example, when she started using MSN Messenger, she didn't expect to end up conducting tutorials in that way. An unexpected benefit was that Birgit found she could travel all over the world whilst still fulfilling her teaching duties.
Problems and advice for others
Birgit found that getting people to try using technology was the hardest part, and that once they did, they usually find it to be very rewarding. In addition, she said, once you have the technology, it's a good idea to think about how your teaching can benefit from it. For example, a recording of a whole lecture is not the best use of video capture – video snippets are easier to deliver and to digest.
Additional comments
For Birgit, the most important thing is motivating people to use technology enhanced learning tools. For example, the setting up of a mentoring program on a bulletin board can create its own momentum so that students form a community and help one another out. She was the driving motivational force behind many USQ lecturers adopting technology-enhanced learning tools.