Cool Results - Anne Bartlett-Bragg

Anne Bartlett Bragg

Can Technology Enhance Learning?

Thanks to some arguments with my computer on Monday, I missed part of this session and also lost the notes I did make. So thank goodness that the sessions are recorded, as I was able to go back to the recording and listen to it again. Anne made extensive use of the whiteboard for input from the audience which was great - it's the first time I have seen it used this much, and Anne also commented on what was contributed and answered questions raised.

Another concept that Anne raised was the concept of renovating learning (from a recent Learning Circuits http://www.learningcircuits.org/ article) Q: are we adding technology to existing subjects? Are we converting materials to digital formats? Does this really enhance the potential of learning processes as opposed to just adding better access?
Focus of the session was on connected learning and the potential of social software to enhance learning.
We have moved from the information age to the Age of Connection. In the Age of Information, access, delivery and distribution have been the key. In this situation, critical literacy is vital, and continues to be so.

In the Age of Connection, 'always on' connections are the key; Australia is lagging a little behind compared to other western countries. This connection can make increased collaboration possible beyond the classroom. One term I liked was the ''invisible portable information fields''.

Social Software 'lets people rendezvous, connect or collaborate... results in the creation of shared interactive spaces' (definition from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)
Despite reading descriptions of Del.ici.ious previously, it made sense for me yesterday – people store their favourites or bookmarks online, the real power comes from the tagging of these bookmarks so other people can use them. Anne's students are using a particular set of shared tags that they use, enabling students to see and search each other’s discoveries about a particular topic. These user-defined tags are called folksonomies; another example of this style of tagging is Flickr.
Digital literacy is not as much of a barrier as sometimes perceived - we underestimate people’s ability to adapt and embrace it. 80 year olds have seen and been part of radical change over their lifetime.
Implications for learning of the Age of Connection
Need to step back occasionally and make sure we’re not renovating, but creating. Anne recommended George Siemen’s article on Connectivism (blog at http://www.connectivism.ca/blog/) This theory identifies that learning is a process of connecting, maintaining those connections, being able to see connections and managing information. Anne’s students who are blogging are starting to see connections between uni subjects and also between uni and other parts of their lives.
Implications for Institutions
We have to accept that the very essence of learning is changing, we have to therefore reconceptualise the learning culture of our institutions.
Implications for Educators
Can't avoid using technology any longer, and perspectives need to shift.
Challenges and Issues
Connectivity and access, Critical literacy, digital literacy, institutional IT policies, our own perceptions of teaching and learning.

Education used to be about manpower, curriculum, needs analysis usually ending up in classrooms (renovating), the future is still quite evasive in terms of social software and learning. Education may not be a location anymore, rather an activity that is embedded in learner's lives.