Technology Rich Learning Environments

The proliferation of information and communication technology tools in recent years has led many educators to revise the way they teach and structure their learning environments. The growth of technology applications in teaching and training is not only gaining momentum, it is becoming a significant part of today's educational scene. This book presents research and case studies to explain how these technology-rich learning environments can be structured and positive results can be achieved. The authors, based on their extensive research data present the pedagogical and organizational implications of technology-rich learning environments and, more importantly, they provide practical models, ideas and exemplars for educators to actualize the full potential of technology in the future.

Readership: Trainee teachers; educational policy-makers; school management personnel; information and communication technology coordinators; computing teachers; academics.

What do we mean by the word ‘context’ in education and how does our context influence the way that we learn? What role can technology play in enhancing learning and what is the future of technology within learning? Re-Designing Learning Contexts seeks to re-dress the lack of attention that has traditionally been paid to a learner’s wider context and proposes a model to help educators and technologists develop more productive learning contexts. It defines context as the interactions between the learner and a set of inter-related resource elements that are not tied to a physical or virtual location. Context is something that belongs to an individual and that is created through their interactions in the world. Based on original, empirical research, the book considers the intersection between learning, context and technology, and explores: the meaning of the concept of context and it’s relationship to learning the ways in which different types of technology can scaffold learning in context the Learner-Centric ‘Ecology of Resources’ model of context as a framework for designing technology-rich learning environments the importance of matching available resources to each learner’s particular needs the ways in which the learner’s environment and the technologies available might change over the coming years the potential impact of recent technological developments within computer science and artificial intelligence. This interdisciplinary study draws on a range of disciplines, including geography, anthropology, psychology, education and computing, to investigate the dynamics and potential of teacher-learner interaction within a learning continuum, and across a variety of locations. It will be of interest to those teaching, researching and thinking about the use of technology in learning and pedagogy, as well as those involved in developing technology for education and those who use it in their own teaching. For practical examples of the way the Ecology of Resources framework has been used visit: http://eorframework.pbworks.com.

El espacio, ya sea físico o virtual, puede tener un impacto significativo en el aprendizaje. Learning Spaces se centra en la forma en que las expectativas de los alumnos influyen en dichos espacios, en los principios y actividades que facilitan el aprendizaje y en el papel de la tecnología desde la perspectiva de quienes crean los entornos de aprendizaje: profesores, tecnólogos del aprendizaje, bibliotecarios y administradores. La tecnología de la información ha aportado capacidades únicas a los espacios de aprendizaje, ya sea estimulando una mayor interacción mediante el uso de herramientas de colaboración, videoconferencias con expertos internacionales o abriendo mundos virtuales para la exploración. Este libro representa una exploración continua a medida que unimos el espacio, la tecnología y la pedagogía para asegurar el éxito de los estudiantes.

The nature of technology has changed since Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) was conceptualised as a research community and Interactive Learning Environments were initially developed. Technology is smaller, more mobile, networked, pervasive and often ubiquitous as well as being provided by the standard desktop PC. This creates the potential for technology supported learning wherever and whenever learners need and want it. However, in order to take advantage of this potential for greater flexibility we need to understand and model learners and the contexts with which they interact in a manner that enables us to design, deploy and evaluate technology to most effectively support learning across multiple locations, subjects and times. The AIED community has much to contribute to this endeavour. This publication contains papers, posters and tutorials from the 2007 Artificial Intelligence in Education conference in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Educators in online and other technology-rich environments consistently ask, “How can I build community among the learners in my class?” They know learning is strengthened by community, but aren’t sure how to design a community in a learning environment where technology plays a significant role. Ten Strategies for Building Community with Technology answers their question with proven strategies developed over the authors’ thirty years’ experience designing and teaching online classes. The ten strategies demonstrate that technology is not an impediment to community, but instead a tool for building more effective learning environments than are possible with traditional, face-to-face classrooms. Used the right way, technology can provide more instructional time, more opportunities for students to reflect, more chances to share and connect, and more access to feedback. But these effective learning environments don’t happen by chance. This book will give you all the background, tactics, examples and advice you need to design successful learning communities with technology. Ten Models for Building Learning Communities Transmission/Direct Instruction Guided Discovery Nurturing Apprenticeship Case Study Shared Praxis Insight-Generating Training Projects Inquiry

Although educational leaders do not have to be digital experts, they play an important role in supporting learning communities that embrace technological innovation and promote systemic change. The Digital Principal shows administrators how to apply their leadership skills to a learning environment rich in technology, and provide opportunities for both students and teachers to work and learn within the digital world. From the basics of digital literacy to connecting to the digital community, this timely book establishes an effective framework for integrating technology into instruction and learning.

Classroom Management in the Digital Age helps guide and support teachers through the new landscape of device-rich classrooms. It provides practical strategies to novice and expert educators alike who want to maximize learning and minimize distraction. Learn how to keep up with the times while limiting time wasters and senseless screen-staring time.