Topic – “Coca-Cola Is Testing a Paper Bottle” (Humphries, 2021)

Reflection and thoughts

This activity is designed around a 10-minute listening and comprehension exercise with the use of YouTube and Quizlet. The need of this activity reflects on the expectation of modern-day teaching practices to improve on delivery and learning outcomes for both the learner and the educator.

• The learning outcomes being addressed by the learning activity.

Engages the learner to be active with technology and encouraging connectivity

Prepares the learner for the future by using and integrating technology at an early stage

Learners benefit from using a variety of representational media, as well as understand complex recorded or spoken information on the topic studied.

Improves collaboration and helps the teacher connect with the learner. (“Top 5 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom.” n.d.)

Ascertain the learner’s level of proficiency (“Guide to Teaching with Technology,” n.d.)

• The learners’ needs, who are they and what do you expect of them.

Improve English proficiency across genres of reading writing, listening, and speaking and apply that knowledge to everyday and professional situations.

Understand English recorded across media platforms and apply that understanding in daily life.

Gain confidence and inclusiveness by familiarising themselves with new related and existing technology

Plan – Learners utilise a flash card activity via Quizlet to understand and reinforce complex vocabulary prior to listening to the audio video via YouTube. After the video learners continue with a quiz delivered by Quizlet.

• How this technology creates an experience for learners that is interactive, meets their needs, and addresses learning outcomes.

Both YouTube and Quizlet are designed around education in mind. While YouTube can be used for other media purposes it can also be used as an educational tool. It addresses reinforcement, revision, creative and interactive learning. Quizlet also addresses these criteria but include further interactive uses, reinforcement, and assessment (Application) in line the relevant activity creation in ESL teaching. Keeping these points in mind the activity changes the behaviour of the learner, connecting learners with technology and building on existing knowledge when using the technology.  Considering these applications together with the activity addresses the learning outcomes outlined in this blog.

• The learning theories you have used to apply your knowledge.

Learning theories drawn upon are connectivism, constructivism, experiential learning.

References

(n.d.). “Guide to Teaching with Technology, .” Retrieved April 04, 2021, 2021, from https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/teachingtech/chapter/chapter-5-learning-outcomes/.

Humphries, M. (2021). “Coca-Cola Is Testing a Paper Bottle.” from https://au.pcmag.com/news/85621/coca-cola-is-testing-a-paper-bottle.

University, W. (n.d.). “Top 5 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom.” Retrieved April 01, 2021, 2021, from https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/education/resource/top-five-benefits-of-technology-in-the-classroom

Technology has changed the landscape of learning and teaching, but without numerous challenges for both the educator and the learner. This is noticeable on all levels of pedagogical education from early childhood to adult education. Curriculums as well as delivery methods changed from traditional methods to blended and integrated design learning. The design process with educators and learners still presents obstacles today, especially when collaborating with learners. (Sharpe, 2020)

The learning environment requires student input to ensure relevant technology is suitable for the curriculum and delivery of content. Educators being mindful of this face many budgetary challenges to achieve these goals. Software and hardware can be very expensive and educators find these decisions testing when staying within budgetary limits.

Correct technology needs to be relevant for the subject and topic on hand. Mandating specific technology can leave teachers without the tools and skills to integrate that technology into their teaching techniques. The technology is then underutilised and used in a way that reflects older teaching methods rather than integrating the technology to improve on delivery. The result being unbeneficial for the learner and educator (Nelson n.d.). e.g., If Quizlet (the flash reinforcement app) is mandated and the teacher does not utilise this technology to blend in with content and delivery? It can be loss to both the educator and learner financially and educationally.

Other challenges which present themselves, are resistant to change where educators see technological experimentation outside the job descriptions, personalise learning where technology is not personalised for specific learners and failure to use technology with formative assessment practices to suit the specific technology (“Top 5 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom,” n.d.). Considering this, Spiral and Pear deck are great tools where technology integrates successfully with formative assessment (“Top Tech Tools for Formative Assessment,” n.d.).

Despite there being challenges, there are many benefits where technology adds value to the teaching and learning environment. Technology creates an engaged environment where there is advance collaboration and participation between the educator, peers and the learner. It incorporates and encourages different delivery and learning styles to traditional teaching. Lastly, it prepares both adults and children for future education and the workplace.

Technology is here to stay in regard integration with education, even though challenging environments presents themselves with the educator and learner, the benefits will override the challenges.

References

Dr. Lorraine Nelson, D. J. L.-T. J. W. (n.d.). “Teaching with Technology A Guide for Teachers.” from https://cmuedtech.atavist.com/teaching-with-technology.

Education, C. S. (n.d.). “Top Tech Tools for Formative Assessment.” Retrieved April 3, 2021, 2021, from https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/top-tech-tools-for-formative-assessment.

Sharpe, H. B. a. R. (2020). Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age Principles and Practices of Design. New York and London Routledge.

University, W. (n.d.). “Top 5 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom.” Retrieved April 01, 2021, 2021, from https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/education/resource/top-five-benefits-of-technology-in-the-classroom.

One of Knowles theories put in practice today is connectivism which is the theory of blending technology together with traditional teaching, which is also known as design learning. There are many examples of technology that make up the learning experience in Face-to-Face and online distance learning. This hybrid way of learning brings learning to a new era for both the educator and the learner. (Sharpe, 2020)

Most common technology use in the classroom are PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs and projectors, YouTube, Power Point, Learning management systems (LMS), Word Press, and discussion forums. Other technologies of software origin that have come to the forefront over the recent years are educational reinforcement aids such as Quizlet, Kahoot and Zeetings.

The two technologies, YouTube and Quizlet are the chosen focus points of this blog due to their wide use and accessibility for both the teacher and the learner. These two tools help break up information into smaller chunks for the learner, also known as micro learning. They help with reinforcement and gauge a learner’s interim level of competency. These apps support integrating original learning content from the educator and third party content from other sources, which ensures a wide range of relevant content for the educator and learner. Uses for this technology apply to face-to-face learning and distance learning via the internet. They are accessible simply by accessing a URL that opens in an app or an internet browser, which makes it easy during delivery for both the educator and student.  YouTube uses include supporting teaching content by reinforcing and delivering media information as well as breaking information into smaller digestible chunks. Quizlet uses reinforcement techniques with virtual flash cards, which teachers integrate within their delivery content. Students can access Quizlet flash cards and relevant YouTube media at any time with a mobile or PC and internet connection, supporting reinforced learning.

The technology above while definitely enhances the teaching and learning experience today; still face many challenges, for both the educator and learner.

References

Sharpe, H. B. a. R. (2020). Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age Principles and Practices of Design. New York and London Routledge.