Thoughts on the JISC Funded Project Learners' Experiences of eLearning findings

The JISC project raises some interesting points which although the project is dated, 5 years now, the findings are beginning to be realised.  For example 'Learners are creating their own learning spaces, blending virtual with face-to-face, and formal with social. Informal collaboration is widespread, often facilitated by technology that is under learners' ownership and control.' I know that students are using technology very effectively to support each other with assignments; Facebook and WhatsApp groups are used by students to discuss assignments and post questions which the group will answer.  This can lead to some confusion though when students have differing opinions or interruptions of the assignments however my feelings are the positives out weight the negatives quite considerably.  

Another point raises the issue of tutors use of technology and how the students expect 'tutors' use of technology for learning to be pedagogically appropriate and skillful'.  Unfortunately I believe we have pockets of this practice but there are still tutors whose use of technology is lacking and potentially limiting the learning experience of the students.  I try to integrate Web2.0 applications such as padlet or mentimeter into my practice not only to capture thoughts and feedback but also to demonstrate the potential of such technology and how it could impact on pupils' learning.  The point about the internet is true with students being dependent upon Google for the answers to all their questions.  This links in beautifully to the original Shift Happens clip which asks who did we ask all the questions to B.G. (before Google).

The issue of students' use of technology is another well made point.   Although students are very adept at using their own personal technologies (smart phones, iPads) they do sometimes lack the skills to use technology to support their learning.  It has amazed me how many students were not using the online library facility (Discover) to search for articles, e books or journals about their assignments.

This is not the video which I have previously used with teachers but it has the same messages and I think it gets them across well.  If this is the way that students are accessing technology, we as educators need to work harder to integrate it further into our practice so that we are meetings their needs.