MODFL/Technology/Influence

Contact North²⁸, a prominent Canadian organisation with vast experience in supporting learners virtually using technology presents key technological developments that are driving change in teaching and learning.

Activity 4

This activity should take you about 45 – 50 minutes to complete.

Read two short articles by ContactNorth, which give useful insights on technological developments driving change in teaching and learning and emerging pedagogies resulting from these technologies.

1. The first article, technological developments only takes about 15 minutes to go through. While you are reading the firsts article think about these questions to focus your reading.
   • As technological developments accelerate changes in teaching and learning what do educational Institutions need to do?
   • Technology is facilitating use of data analytics. What are some of the benefits of using such student data analytics?
   • What are the main benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to students?
   • What are the main benefits of increased use of (AI) to faculty and instructors?
2. The second article, A New Pedagogy Is Emerging, has several sections that are relevant to this unit. If you read the whole article, it will take you 30 minutes to go through it. However, for purposes of this activity, you may only read the section entitled: Seven key elements are contributing to the development of this new pedagogy.
3. While you are reading (or listening to) the second article consider these questions:
   • What constraints are faced in using synchronous sessions in virtual learning?
   • Which of the seven developments triggering online learning, which are mentioned in the resource apply to your context?
   • What are the three emerging pedagogical trends that are a result of increased use of technology mentioned in the resource and how are they affecting teaching and learning in your country?
4. Share one key insight from each article in the chat, and comment on another participant’s insight.

If you are tired of reading, you can simply highlight the text in the second article and listen to the voice over. Note that only the second article has voice over.

Feedback and comment on Activity 4

Examples of insights from the first article:

• Use of AI-enabled tools and resources poses both challenges and opportunities in teaching and learning
• Use of latest technology affects students, staff and administrators
• The use of adaptive assessment supports differentiated instruction and design justice.
• Use of latest technology supports writing and literacy skills development
• Use of new technologies is changing how assessment is done.

Examples of insights from the second article:

• Online learning has influenced development of new pedagogies
• One of the demands of a knowledge-based society is help students to manage knowledge - how to find, analyse, evaluate, and apply knowledge as it constantly shifts and grows.
• New developments require students to apply knowledge to meet the demands of 21st century society, using skills such as critical thinking and independent learning.
• Increasingly, the trend is on the need for skills development and learning “on the job”.
• There is increasing use of OER in teaching and learning.