Members of the LT team had the opportunity to present at the recent HERG symposium on “Critical Reflections on the future of learning technologies in higher education”.
The symposium explored the challenges and the opportunities offered by learning technologies for our pedagogic practice. Through our critical discussions in the international symposium participants explored different approaches to the use of technology and considered how to ensure pedagogies are relevant for a new generation of students. The symposium focused on offering international perspectives from academics and students, as well as exploring innovative teaching
“Tomorrow’s Students: Charting Paths in Digital Transformation” – keynote by Debbie Holley, NTF, Professor of Learning Innovation with Jakob Rossner
Prof Debbie Holley and Jakob Rossner
The future is human, and the future of learning is immersive. In the future, learning will take the shape of a story, a play, a game; involving multiple platforms and players; driven by dialogue and augmented with technology, an interplay of immersive experiences, data, and highly social virtual worlds” State of XR and Immersive Learning Outlook Report (2021 p 21).
Link to YouTube: https://youtu.be/xon-MLqXiw8?si=67xMXRxhyyYfVxU3
Selected References:
- EY and FCCI (Feb 2021): Higher Education in India: Vision 2040 https://www.ficcihes.com/pdf/2021/eyreport.pdf •
- McKinsey and Company. (2021). Defining the skills citizens will need in the future world of work Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/defining-theskills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work
- • State of XR and Immersive Learning: https://immersivelrn.org/pages/state-of-xr-immersive-learning
Link to Slidedeck:
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/hergkeynote-tomorrow-s-students-charting-paths-in-digital-transformation/272883867
Session 4 “A Taste of Innovation: serving up learning technologies a la Bake Off” – Tracey Webb, Scott Hedger, Jakob Rossner
The Learning Technology team of bakers!
The Great British Bake Off TV show has spawned many international versions, from Australia to Uruguay. It combines a genteel British approach with a competitive edge and is addictive viewing. This session had a focus on student impact and engagement from the use of learning technologies in education and showcased examples of how staff at Bournemouth University have leveraged technologies to produce innovative pedagogical practice within the framework of the Bake Off format:
- The Signature challenge: producing a bake adhering to baseline requirements but with the freedom to introduce new elements and show tutor personality, showcased through a project working with colleagues in the Faculty of Science and Technology to create consistent unit design across a department and improve the student experience of the VLE.
- The Technical challenge: demonstrating technical proficiency in baking in timed conditions with opportunities for skills development, showcased through an Escape Room activity for academic staff designed to get them engaging with innovative technologies and to consider their use in their own teaching and learning.
- The Showstopper challenge: fostering creativity and experimentation with baking, showcased through a mass casualty simulation event in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences where Paramedic Science students were immersed in an authentic learning environment following a mythical ‘Godzilla attack’ scenario.
Link to Slidedeck:
The symposium was dedicated to Tom Burns, Associate Professor in Education at London Metropolitan University, who recently passed away after a short illness. More on Tom and his work here: https://aldinhe.ac.uk/take5-100-celebrating-the-work-of-sandra-sinfield-and-tom-burns/
–Debbie Holley
