the digital dream: myths, magic and monsters

The Digital Dream:Myths, Magic and Monsters

Professor Mark Brown

3U N-Step Conference

11th September, 2014

Dublin City University

Professor Mark BrownDirector, National Institute for Digital Learning

http://www4.dcu.ie/nidlmark.brown@dcu.ie

My story…

Palmerston NorthAuckland Wellington

Distance

Worldwide

32,000 students

My story…

The Digital Dream

1. Myths

2. Magic

3. Monsters

“If digital learning is the

dream solution for STEM

education, then what is the

problem?”

1. Myths…

1. Myths…

#1 University teaching has failed to keep up with major societal changes…

1. Myths…

#1 University teaching has failed to keep up with major societal changes…

1. Myths…

#1 University teaching has failed to keep up with major societal changes…

1. Myths…

#2 MOOCs are having a revolutionary impact on higher education…

1. Myths…

#2 MOOCs are having a revolutionary impact on higher education…

Barber, M., Donnelly, K., & Rizvi, S. (2013). An avalanche is coming: Higher education and the revolution ahead. Institute for Public Policy Research. London.

1. Myths…

#2 MOOCs are having a revolutionary impact on higher education…

1. Myths…

#3 The lecture is dead in the inquiry-based classroom of the 21st Century…

1. Myths…

#3 The lecture is dead in the inquiry-based classroom of the 21st Century…

1. Myths…

#3 The lecture is dead in the inquiry-based classroom of the 21st Century…

1. Myths…

“Because no two students have the same needs and no two

teachers arrive at their best performance in the same way,

theoretical exclusivity and didactic single-

mindedness can be trusted to make even the best

educational ideas fail”.

(Sfard, 1998, p.11)

#3 The lecture is dead in the inquiry-based classroom of the 21st Century…

#3 The lecture is dead in the inquiry-based classroom of the 21st Century…

Learning by sharing(Connectivist)

Learning by listening(Instructionist)

Learning by doing(Constructivist)

Learning by making(Constructionist)

1. Myths…

1. Myths…

#4 Blended learning is having a transformative impact on pedagogy…

1. Myths…

#4 Blended learning is having a transformative impact on pedagogy…

1. Myths…

#4 Blended learning is having a transformative impact on pedagogy…

1. Myths…

#4 Blended learning is having a transformative impact on pedagogy…

1. Myths…

#4 Blended learning is having a transformative impact on pedagogy…

1. Myths…

#5 Educational technology is a neutral tool that has no effect on learning…

1. Myths…

#5 Educational technology is a neutral tool that has no effect on learning…

1. Myths…

#5 Educational technology is a neutral tool that has no effect on learning…

1. Myths…

#5 Educational technology is a neutral tool that has no effect on learning…

“Infused with the language of capitalism, neo-liberalism, globalization and enterprise pedagogy.”

1. Myths…

#6 Face-to-face teaching is better than online and blended learning…

1. Myths…

#6 Face-to-face teaching is better than online and blended learning…

1. Myths…

“These studies answer the ‘‘big’’ questions (e.g., is

DE/OL more effective than classroom instruction?), but they generally fail to establish an alignment of evidence that

addresses the ‘‘do’s’’ and ‘‘don’ts’’ of instruction via rigorous research.” (p.89).

Bernard, R., Borokhovski, E., Schmid, R., Tamim, R., & Abrami, P. (2014). A meta-analysis of blended learning and technology use in higher education: from the general to the applied. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 26:87–122.

#6 Face-to-face teaching is better than online and blended learning…

1. Myths…

#7 Today’s students are digital natives who expect teachers to make extensive use of technology…

1. Myths…

1984 2014

Long ago our students danced at concerts, now theyclick, video, share and tweet!

#7 Today’s students are digital natives who expect teachers to make extensive use of technology…

1. Myths…

Helsper, E. J., & Eynon, R. (2010). Digital natives: Where is the evidence? British Educational Research Journal, 36 (3), 503-520.

#7 Today’s students are digital natives who expect teachers to make extensive use of technology…

1. Myths…

#7 Today’s students are digital natives who expect teachers to make extensive use of technology…

Questions…

“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom”

Francis Bacon

http://www.slideshare.net/mbrownz

2. Magic…

Learner-ContentInteraction

Learner-learnerInteraction

Teacher-LearnerInteraction

Interactivity

Framework

Places

Tools

Spaces

2. Magic…

Learner-ContentInteraction

Learner-learnerInteraction

Teacher-LearnerInteraction

Interactivity

Framework

2. Magic…

Place of Learning(Where Learning Ocurrs)

Mode of Learning(How Learning Occurs)

Pace of Learning(When Learning Occurs)

Acquisition

Participation

2. Magic…

The digital learning ecology…

Acquisition

Participation

2. Magic…

Physical Virtual

The digital learning ecology…

Acquisition

Participation

2. Magic…

Synchronous Asynchronous

The digital learning ecology…

Off Campusin Class

Off Campusout of Class

On Campusin Class

Acquisition

Participation

On Campusout of Class

Synchronous Asynchronous

2. Magic…

The digital learning ecology…

Video

2. Magic…

https://www.open2study.com

2. Magic…

2. Magic…

?

2. Magic…

?

2. Magic…

Video

2. Magic…

Video

2. Magic…

https://learn5.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2

2. Magic…

http://mathsfirst.massey.ac.nz

2. Magic…

• Access

• Interactivity

• Innovation

• Authenticity

• Outcomes

In sum…

Questions…

“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom”

Francis Bacon

http://www.slideshare.net/mbrownz

3. Monsters…

3. Monsters…

National Survey of Student Engagement

Engagement…

3. Monsters…

Completions…

3. Monsters…

Diversity…

2.7%

3. Monsters…

Diversity…

Conclusion…

Conclusion…

A conclusion is the place

where you got tired of thinking (or ran out of time)

Conclusion…

LEARNING TO BE

LEARNING TO KNOW

LEARNING TO DO

LEARNING TO LIVE

TOGETHER

DREAMING OF A BETTER FUTURE

DigitalLiteracy

DigitalInclusion

DigitalCitizenship

Conclusion…

LEARNING TO BE

LEARNING TO KNOW

LEARNING TO DO

LEARNING TO LIVE

TOGETHER

DigitalLiteracy

DigitalInclusion

DigitalCitizenship

LEARNING TO CHANGEAND TRANSFORM

DREAMING OF A BETTER FUTURE

STEAM

Thank You!

Questions…

“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom”

Francis Bacon

http://www.slideshare.net/mbrownz

Professor Mark Brown

Director, National Institute for Digital Learning

mark.brown@dcu.ie

@mbrownz

http://www.slideshare.net/mbrownz

Contact Details…