1. Redesigning Learning Spaces -
The purpose behind redesigning learning spaces is to help make learning more collaborative and interactive. A student-centered approach to education helps bring about non-traditional ideas. Ideas such as flipped classrooms, teleconferencing, bring your own device (BYOD) and informal presentations more closely mimic scenarios that learners would see in the real world and some of these ideas are best implemented with a redesigned learning space.
2. Increasing Use of Blended Learning Designs -
A blended learning environment is one that utilizes both in person and distance learning in the same course. Both traditional and non-traditional students can benefit from blended learning environments. The benefits of blended learning include accessibility, flexibility, integrated multimedia and a mix of independent and collaborative learning. Studies have shown that students who participate in blended learning environments perform better than those who participate in non-blended learning environments (NCBI 2015).
Significant Challenges
1. Blending Informal and Formal Learning -
Almost all students would be better off if they had previous informal training prior to enrolling in formal training. This would save the student time, frustration and money. One of the biggest setbacks to recognizing informal training in a formal environment is the lack of a way to assess learner ability quickly, inexpensively and reliably in most areas of education.
2. Personalizing Learning -
Personalized education means delivering the prescribed knowledge to a learner in the way that best suits the individual. This means taking into account previous knowledge and the user's learning style. Challenges to personalizing knowledge at the collegiate level include a large number of students in many class sections and limited time to get to know one's students in a meaningful enough way to adapt requisite learning for each individual.
The questions posed in the Industry Training article, The Business of Learning: Perspectives from Brain Science on page 11 (Pillay 2017) are great technological considerations when developing content. These questions are...
- Is the learning you are providing mobile friendly?
- Can the learning be enhanced in online community portals?
- Would gaming enhance the quality of learning?
- Can augmented or virtual reality enhance the content?
Citations
NCBI. 2015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4386745/
Pillay. 2017. https://blackboard.utdl.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-6695687-dt-content-rid-56235443_1/courses/XLST.N5.201910/trainingindustry_tiq_20171112.pdf
