This year I got to teach in one of the most technologically advanced classroom on campus, called the “Blended Learning Room” and I feel very privileged to be chosen for the job. This high end classroom has three smart boards, two I-pads that work as control central, multiple inbuilt microphones, cameras with360° lens that shows the entire classroom and automatically focuses on students and instructors as they speak and a recording facility. The room is supported with a robust learning management system and other technologies that work behind the scene, which I am unaware of. To summarize, the room is a masterpiece. If Michelangelo were a technologist, he would call it “David”. Teaching in this room feels like a renaissance in education has begun. To simply put, it is the classroom of tomorrow that I am using to teach today.
I am able to connect and deliver a lecture to 17 campuses simultaneously. Sounds like an epic win for a person like me who loves using advanced technology in the classroom with students for education purpose. However, all is not peaches and cream when it comes to implementing this kind of a futuristic vision in education that is so technologically superior and student centric. I believe the main idea for this kind of an education experience is to give flexible learning options to students and provide quality education consistently from the subject matter expert.
The blended learning experience in the classroom of tomorrow has two parts. First, building the content on the learning management platform and then executing it with finesse in the room. The latter is more challenging. This two-hour class show is quite like Cirque du Soleil. The only difference here is that there is only one main artist, and that is the instructor. One slip on part of the content platform, technology or the teacher, and the class goes up in flames. However, with practice and preparation, it is worth every fil ( Arabic for penny) spent.
My experience with blended learning rooms has taught me that technology can never diminish a teacher’s touch on the heart and mind of the students.As I get more familiar with the students online, they wish to interact more in person. Therefore, I think that developing a connection between the teacher and students is crucial, in both online and face-to-face teaching. So, all those teachers who thought we may get replaced due to technology, the short answer is NO, we wont.
I have also come to realize that time passes slowly in this kind of a class setting, and it requires great deal of advance planning. Not only in terms of content delivery and discussion but also how you execute the process. A boundary less classroom can become a hectic and chaotic place, if there is no “to do” list. Also, student engagement becomes difficult to ascertain in an online setting. Especially, when you connect with so many students via technology, you are always unsure if they really understood the topic, or they just gave you a good end of the class poll to finish quickly.
Hence, to combat the challenges above, I began my experiments with technology. Below is my experience that includes a list of all things that work seamlessly in such a teaching setting.
At the beginning of the class, list out the rules of the class on the smart board. This serves as a gentle reminder to students at all times. Followed by the class agenda that is short and includes approximate timing. Even though students have access to the course outline, I always send them an email notifying what we will cover in the next week, so they come prepared.
I remain loyal to my class timings and start with a story, explain the importance of the topic and refrain from lecturing for more than 20 minutes.Since, I have noticed that students don’t focus. Therefore, I do virtual discussion boards at the end of the lecture to check student understanding on the topic. Here I give them the flexibility to leave as soon as they finish. This motivates them to engage, and soon they become engrossed. It is a very effective technique and rarely students finish their writing before the end of class.
Since, it is an online class, I keep the class format constant for consistency but experiment teaching with different technologies. I have found Nearpod, Mysimpleshow, Google Jamboard, Microsoft Note, Classroom screen very useful in delivering a quality lecture. With Nearpod, I am able to take polls, play quizzes and gauge student performance and engagement through their reporting feature. Microsoft Note allows me to hand write. Students find it very appealing to see technology based “hand inked” mind maps on important concepts. Classroom screen is aesthetically pleasing and provides an innovative way to manage class work.
It is advised not to overdo on the technology experimentsbecause some student cannot cope up with such a class setting. They want to stay focused. So it is best to post all material (notes, worksheets, articles) on the learning management system, and use new tools for engagement purpose only.
Learning activities like scenarios and debates are key to full class participation. I have tried online scenarios and debates between campus groups on topic taught in class, and they have gone very well. Students really enjoy the stimulation, despite the fact that there is no grade for these activities.
Giving homeworkis the bedrock of a strong online class. It keeps students on track and practice makes them strong on the subject. I generally give short quizzes on the learning management system that are auto marked, thanks to the development of artificial intelligence. This exercise gives me an overview of how the class is doing and who is doing what.
Another important step in delivering this type of lecture series is staying active on email.Responding to student queries at your earliest becomes a prime task. You want to help them at your earliest, so that they don’t get stuck and lose the momentum to study. Of course, you can always give them the best times to reach you. This way you manage their expectations appropriately.
Phone conversations and virtual office hours greatly help in connecting with students and providing guidance as needed. I have experienced that phone conversation give a personal touch to the student - teacher relationship and this gesture makes students believe their instructor cares and supports their educational aspirations, from 100 KMs away.
This in a nutshell has been my digital classroom experience. As I learn, discover or invent more in the classroom of tomorrow, I will come back to share.
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