Session 2 (Week 3-4): Learning Resources and Technologies

Learning Resources and Technologies

The session 2 of the course ED403 has enriched my knowledge on two topics such as online learning tools and Open Educational Resources (OERs).

Learning technologies is an important part in the education and it applies information communication technologies (ICTs) in learning, teaching and assessments (Barker 1999). The learning goal and pedagogy should be the main focus while designing learning with the use of technology rather than the selection of the technology (Clifford, 2011). Technology in education has been defined as the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources. This session has increased my understanding on Google scholar, Google presenter, web conferring tools (such as BigBlueButton, Skype, Google hangout and Google plus), web 2.0 tools and social media in learning and teaching environment. The learning technology that is utilized in my teaching course is Moodle (learning management system) and discussion forums. One of the online technological tools that I could incorporate in my course is GroupBoard (https://www.groupboard.com/products/). GroupBoard can be used with students and peers to collaborate and coordinate the work in real time. This tool has been used by online tutors, secondary schools and universities worldwide since 2012. In my teaching course, the students conduct a group research project thus the GroupBoard will allow the group members to collaborate online regarding their project work and other discussions. The supervisors can also join the group online. I have explained how this GroupBoard can be used in real time teaching and discussion for science studentshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWt_iSwSwd4&feature=youtu.be .

Open educational resources (OERs) educational materials with open license are available in public domain that anyone can legally and freely reuse, remix and share for learning, teaching and assessments (UNESCO, 2017). Educational institutions are taking advantage of OERs in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning. They enable peers to share materials and enrich the curriculum for students. Institutions using and adapting OER can find this a cost-effective way of investing in materials design and development. Quizzes, activities, videos, case studies and readings are some OERs used in my teaching course. Some other OERs that I can integrate are modules and guides on various topics.

In total, session-II of ED403 has amplified my knowledge on how to use and search for suitable online technological tools and OERs.

Cheers,

Ramesh Subramani

References

Barker P. 1999. Implementing Learning Technology. http://www.icbl.hw.ac.uk/ltdi/implementing-it/what-def.htm retrieved on 28th February 2020.

Clifford L. 2011. Effective practice in a digital age. https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20140614200556/http://www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/programmerelated/2009/effectivepracticedigitalage.aspx retrieved on 28th February 2020.

UNESCO. 2017. What are Open Educational Resources (OERs)? http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/access-to-knowledge/open-educational-resources/what-are-open-educational-resources-oers/ retrieved on 28th February 2020.