I chose to review the eLearning Coach ar…
I chose to review the eLearning Coach article entitled “Learning Technology Trends to Watch in 2012”. Eight emerging trends that would be of interest to educators as well as learning technology specialists and venturers were identified in the article. Specifically, the article highlighted the following trends: backchannel, content curation, developing in the cloud, the expanded role of the instructional designer, flipped learning, gamification, HTML 5 for mobile and new blended learning.
I thought the author of the article did a great job summarizing each trend and I really liked that she chose to provide examples to illustrate each one. In many cases, the author provided an overview of the concept and included a live link so the reader could go to a website to obtain additional information if desired. For example, the backchannel discussion included a link to a site maintained by David Kelly which provided resources from a number of different conferences and events. Another example I found particularly relevant was the link to the content curation websites. Viewing the eLearning site curated by Paulo Simões helped me envision how I could use this site to remain up-to-date with my own professional development.
There were some trends with which I was completely unfamiliar such as flipped learning, backchannel and HTML 5 for mobile. In the case of the latter, the author provided technical information in layperson’s terms so it could be easily understood. Visiting the websites identified in the article allowed me to delve into trends that interested me in more detail. Simply being made aware of the trend also led me to seek additional information on the topic. For example, I completed a search for flipped learning and located an article about an educator in Colorado who developed and has used the strategy with a great deal of success. The educator outlined the uses of this trend in his math classroom. Since I occasionally teach math, I found the discussion very interesting and passed the article along to the Head of the Math department at my school.
One of the shortcomings of the article is the author did not explain the criteria used to select the trends included in the report. It would have been nice to know whether the trends were selected because they were new, have the most potential to influence student learning, represent large potential markets, or some other criterion.
In addition, I found the summary to be unbalanced as the author did not identify any disadvantages or risks associated with the trends. For example, the flipped learning trend involves using class time to collaborate on problem solving and a student’s daily homework consists of viewing a YouTube video of the theory behind the day’s activity. One obvious risk of this approach is that students may not complete their homework and would not have a good understanding of the particular concept. From an educator’s perspective, this trend assumes access to technology to make the videos, as well as a significant time investment to film and upload the videos five days a week.
I would certainly look for future versions of this report. The information was current, easy to understand and I could see the applicability of many of the trends to my own teaching practice and professional development.
References
Kelly, D. (2011). Misadventures in learning. Retrieved from http://misadventuresinlearning.blogspot.ca/2011/10/conference-backchannels-archive-of.html
Malamed, C. (2012). Learning technology trends to watch in 2012. Retrieved from http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning2-0/learning-technology-trends-for-2012/
Pink, D. (2010). Think tank: Flip-thinking – the new buzz word sweeping the US. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/7996379/Daniel-Pinks-Think-Tank-Flip-thinking-the-new-buzz-word-sweeping-the-US.html
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Dennis Pratt 8:00 pm on May 15, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Deborah;
I have not tried the flipped classroom as of yet but understand how it works and look forward to using it in the future. I don’t think that you have to make the lecture or lesson every day. There are tons of useful videos already loaded on YouTube or other sites that you could use instead or recording yourself giving a lecture. The Khan Academy is creating a video library that is very helpful, especially for math. As kids adapt to the flipped classroom some will love it and others may not even have access. It is a tough transition phase we are in right now, especially if a student does not have internet access at home.
http://www.khanacademy.org/new-and-noteworthy/v/futures-introduction
Dennis
Deborah S 5:38 am on May 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for the link. I have used the Khan Academy site before, but sparingly. I know some of my students really like it as it presents concepts in a slightly different way than they heard it in class. Even though I teach in a relatively affluent area, I know that not all of my students have Internet access at home. I would be concerned that if I were to implement a flipped learning model, I would be placing unreasonable expectations on some students who may now have to go the public library to access videos to complete their homework. It is an interesting concept, though.
Deborah
Dave Horn 11:35 pm on May 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Deborah,
I think it was a solid review of the report. I agree that it is problematic and decreases the value of a resource if it isn’t objective. Not knowing how trends were selected or if trends had drawbacks or issues makes it less likely to pick a trend or rely on the sourc in the future.
I have used Flipped only sparingly and I think you raise a good point that in some places students may not have net access at home. Thus learning becomes onerous. What I like about the model is that is more time for students to receive help on the work rather than large chunks of time spent on notes and basic information.
Dave
Denise 3:17 am on May 20, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
HI Deborah,
I agree with you (and Dave) about the shortcomings of the article. It is one of the problems I see reguarly with blogs, and I find it challenging to use them as “reference” material in assignments within the tertiary(they are almost like some medical references quoted as ‘personal communication’)
But they are a way for people to share ideas and then off we the readers go to explore further and learn lots!