Dr Benson Soong (PhD, Cambridge) Changes in Schools Due to Technology

Why the change in topic?

Reason #1 ICT was a key theme in yesterday’s Welcome and Keynote Addresses

Reason #2

Reason #3 I’m not afraid to change. And hope you would not too

Topic Changes in Schools Due to Technology

Problematic Topic Because... Changes in Schools Due to Technology But what technology are we talking about? are we talking about?

Two very different “technologies” at play here!

Two “technologies” at play here! Technology in Education

Two “technologies” at play here! Technology in Education Technology of Education

What’s the Difference?

How many do you know about? Wikipedia Khan Academy Smart board eBooks EdX

How many do you know about? Mastery Learning Reciprocal Teaching Peer Instruction Prescriptive Tutoring Flipped Classroom

Technology in Educationbeats Technology of Education in public recognition

Why? Three main reason #1 The Printing Press #2 Dissatisfaction with schooling #3 Marketing $$$

Some quotes are relevant here: Thomas Edison in 1922, “I believe that the motion picture is destined to revolutionise our educational system and that in a few years it will supplant largely, if not entirely, the use of textbooks” Seymour Papert in 1984 predicted that “there won't be schools in the future....I think the computer will blow up the school”

Computers: Oversold and Underused Cuban in 1986 pointed out, “Radio, film, language laboratories, programmed learning machines, computer assisted-instruction, use of typewriters in the elementary grades —all have been promoted as revolutionizing instruction yet today seldom appear in most classrooms”. And after more than a decade of further research, he added, “When it comes to higher teacher and student productivity and a transformation in teaching and learning…there is little ambiguity. Both must be tagged as failures. Computers have been oversold and underused, at least for now” (Cuban, 2001, p.179).

Computers: No Significant Difference Russell’s meta research study shows involving different distance learning technologies and found “no significant difference (NSD) in student outcomes between alternate modes of education delivery”

So, what causes significant improvements in student learning outcomes?

Technology of Education

I’ll talk about two in detail... Mastery Learning Reciprocal Teaching Peer Instruction Prescriptive Tutoring Flipped Classroom

Peer Instruction (Eric Mazur’s work) Mazur (2009) “it is not the technology but the pedagogy that matters” S pre-reads the learning material before class T talks about a concept (less than 10 mins) in class T then gives a short conceptual MCQ on the subject being discussed S thinks for 1 minute and give their answers via a “clicker” system If less than 30% get it correct, T repeats the material If more than 70% gets it correct, T explains the answer and move on Most of the time, between 30%-70% gets it correct, and T asks the S to discuss their answers amongst themselves. T then mingles with the S to hear what they have to say. After the peer discussion process (which would take several minutes), a new vote is taken and the process is repeated.

Peer Instruction (Eric Mazur’s work) Mazur (2009) “it is not the technology but the pedagogy that matters” S pre-read the learning material before class T talks about a concept (less than 10 mins) T gives a short conceptual MCQ on the subject being discussed S think for 1 minute and give their answers via a “clicker” system If less than 30% get it correct, T repeats the material If more than 70% gets it correct, T explains the answer and move on Most of the time, between 30%-70% gets it correct, and T asks the S to discuss their answers amongst themselves. T then mingles with the S to hear what they have to say. After the peer discussion process (which would take several minutes), a new vote is taken and the process is repeated. Technology aids with data collection and presentation; but it’s the pedagogy that leads to improved learning outcomes

Flipped Classroom (Bergman and Sams; but before them, many innovative teachers in the USA experimented with it) T procures or produces videos/PPT narration of lessons and creates basic online quizzes to ensure S has knowledge and comprehension of the content S reviews the material before attending class, and ensures that they get most of the questions correct In class, S works on higher order problems (application/analysis) in groups, and T is able to spend more time dealing with higher order learning outcomes and spend more time with weaker S From Sage on the stage to Guide on the side

Flipped Classroom (Bergman and Sams; but before them, many innovative teachers in the USA experimented with) T procures or produces videos/PPT narration of lessons and creates basic online quizzes to ensure S has knowledge and comprehension of the content S reviews the material before attending class, and ensures that they get most of the questions correct In class, S works on higher order problems (application/analysis) in groups, and T is able to spend more time dealing with higher order learning outcomes and spend more time with weaker S From Sage on the stage to Guide on the side Technology aids with information dissemination and tracking; but it’s the pedagogy that leads to improved learning outcomes

And the rest briefly... Mastery Learning Reciprocal Teaching Peer Instruction Prescriptive Tutoring Flipped Classroom

So, what does it all mean? (Three final takeaways)

#1 If you have tried to change the way you teach, but no to avail, it because your teaching objective has not changed (getting students to obtain the right answers is very different from wanting students to understand the fundamental concepts involved)

#2 Be less dazzled by the flashy technologies in education, and more inspired by the technologies of education (ICT helps us be more productive, but pedagogy makes us more effective)

#3 Why were students of the past so much more respectful of their teachers? (Because the Internet removed a key competitive advantage teachers used to have, and that’s ___________)

#3 Why were students of the past so much more respectful of their teachers? (Because the Internet removed a key competitive advantage teachers used to have, and that’s ___________) What can we do to regain this high level of respect in teachers?

We help students with things that the internet cannot...and these are...

We help students with things that the internet cannot...and these are... critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, discernment...

We help students with things that the internet cannot...and these are st century skills

So, are you ready to be a 21 st century teacher?

Thank you!