Turning A Negative Into A Positive With Modern Electronic Technologies Michael Piczak Nafia Al-Mutawaly Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario

Past & the Future Miniaturization Portability/mobility Power Internet Convergence Pranav Mistry ???????? ??????? 2

So, What Is The Problem? Device more interesting than front of room Multitasking A distraction Less time on task They are ‘bored’ (Michael Wesch)Michael Wesch 3

Ubiquitously Addictive Hardware/Software Cell/smart phoneswww mp3 playersFacebook TabletsInstagram LaptopsTexting ??????Twitter 4

Device Extensification Average student owns 6.9 devices 90%+ cell/smart phone 85% laptops 36% tablets 33% consoles, e-readers, ipods 5

Worse Before Getting Better Growth Internet users 2.3 billion3.6 billion56% Global devices or connections 12 billion19 billion58% Internet video users 1 billion2 billion100% 6

They do this… Students see selves as great multitaskers Distraction (gaming, facebooking, unrelated video, texting) Missed call Negative impact on student performance Plagiarism, academic dishonesty Testing situations 7

We do that… Outright ban Instructor discretion Course outline language Department policy Permitted for emergencies No policy Rethinking for use to advantage 8

Challenge vs. Opportunity  Leveraging the power of instant access to all knowledge in classroom setting  Entertainment/social value of devices Bringing the world into the classroom Data available at students’ fingertips Instructor access spectrum of resources Participation in class ( 9

Bloom’s Two Sigma Problem 2 ∂’s of improvement = tutorial instruction 1 ∂ of improvement =  reinforcement  corrective feedback  cues & explanations  classroom participation  improved reading skills  time on task 10

Time On Task Using devices to improve time on task by:  Notetaking  Instantly accessing history/background/proofs  Performing calculations, demonstrations, plotting data  Accessing open courseware (Khan Academy)  Polling  Digital smart board capture  Podcasting  Testing  Instant communication with prof 11

Other Benefits Promote engagement Improve student attitudes Elevate student learning Catalyze continued learning A classroom of sages Variety Active 12

Pedagogical Circumstance Pre-class Planning  LMSs (D2L, moodle, BB)  Universal access  Deliver content  E-portfolios  Administration of regularized, randomized tests  Grading with instant feedback  Communication with students  Engagement/attachment to course (Dr. Joe Kim, McMaster University) 13

Pedagogical Circumstance In-class Teach using a cool device Real time access to course materials, assignments, projects during lecture/lab Assigning truth, fact checker to students Use digital devices for labs, field experiments, simulations, tests, presentations Remote lecture delivery via skype, Webex Clickers/polling via mobile device 14

Pedagogical Circumstance Post-class Learning begins after class Reinforce class with:  Complete set of notes showing what ‘A’ looks like  Sharing comprehensive set of student produced notes  Lecture capture, digital smart board uploads  Camtasia produced video for ‘in other words’ and repeated viewing  Recording links for synchronous classes 15

Pedagogical Circumstance Student Assessment Delivering and managing on-line evaluation devices Dropbox with auto grade administration Audio feedback via LMS permitting individualized comments 16

Conclusions & Recommendations Digital train leaving station, students on the ride AND time for professors to get on board Capitalize on digital technology to satisfy current generation expectations/modalities by:  Using TAs to develop digital course materials  Staying close to technology & force adoption  Integrating digital technologies into lab/course work  Learning from the students  Crafting/enforcing policy for digital technology under different conditions (class vs. exams) Future classroom (larger, MOOC, student responsibility) 17

Turning A Negative Into A Positive With Modern Electronic Technologies Michael Piczak Nafia Al-Mutawaly Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario