Modern Learning Spaces

I was asked today what exactly do I mean when I say we need modern learning spaces. Are they labs, classrooms, conference rooms, library rooms? All the above! But let’s ask ourselves why do we need them? Let’s reflect on how we want out graduates to turn up… We want them to be experts in their fields (content knowledge), but we also want them to  have critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. And we need modern learning spaces to facilitate developing of these critically important skills. So, what are modern learning spaces? Access my diigo collection on this topic. What other ideas you? Please let me know.

Let’s use PPT right

Well,  PowerPoint is about 25 years old (really!). You can love it or hate it, but it is still used a lot in teaching and meetings. There are many alternatives (stay tuned: I am coming up with the list of PPT alternatives). If you and/or your students use PPT, let’s explore how to do it right and avoid poorly formatted content, ineffective presentation style, and boredom in the classroom. Of course there is no magic bullet. You need to see what fits better your students learning style and your own teaching philosophy, but these suggestions might be quite helpful!

Higher education evolution: Student life in 2023

eCampus News released the 1st part of 2023 predictions today. So, how students will be learning in 10 years? To read this publication you need a free account. In brief, these are the major trends and highlights:virtual modes of learning, artificially intelligent adaptive learning softwareBig Data, eTextbooks, data-driven apps (imagine an app which suggests a student a different reading or instructional activity based on his/her emotional stage at that time).

The next part will examine how the role of instructors and professors will change by 2023. Cannot wait to read the predictions!

Are you mindmapping yet?

Mind mapping and concept mapping is a great technique for learning, organizing information, establishing conceptual relationships, and just seeing a “big picture”. The advantage of this techniques is that it can be used in any subject area and with learners of all ages. Please explore some pedagogical aspects of mind mapping, embedding this technique into learning and teaching, and using various (free) tools. I collected some resources for you on my mindmapping diigo list.

Screencasting

I met with many people for the past several weeks. All are genuinely interested in supporting students in and outside of the classroom. One of the effective (and low cost) solutions might be creating screencasts (a digital recording of one’s computer screen (with or without audio narration)). Potential uses are endless: give a course orientation (or just a topic), guide on how to use a software or course site, provide guidance and feedback on the homework assignment, share content, etc.

Want to learn more and find out why and how? Proceed here!

Creating Google Scholar alerts

We use Google for email, calendar, videochats, etc. Have you tried to use Google for research purposes? You might want to share the tips on how to add Google Scholar alerts with your students as well.

Google Scholar provided access to many scholarly works in a variety formats and from many publishers, societies, clearing houses. It has publications in several languages. Here is a pretty impressive listing in English. Give it a try!