This document describes an "Agony Aunts" workshop activity carried out by PGCE students at Sheffield Hallam University to explore problems related to using digital technologies in educational settings. The activity involved a panel of three students fielding questions from an audience of students about their worst-case scenarios and technology issues. Intended outcomes were to encourage discussion and sharing of best practices in a supportive environment. When implemented, examples of problems discussed included equipment failures and engaging different types of learners with technology. The panel provided solutions and emphasized preparation, alternative plans, and viewing problems as learning opportunities. Overall, the activity helped students share real experiences and practices.

1. This leaflet has been produced for the Digital Futures for Teacher Education project, part
of UK Open Educational Resources Programme Phase Three. This project seeks to create
materials (OERs) for trainee teachers and to develop guidance on digital literacy practice
in teaching and learning in the school sector. For most up-to-date information about the
project, please refer to the DeFT project blog
This activity was devised by a group of Sheffield Hallam PGCE Students as a part of their
presentation on exploring digital literacy in professional practice.
Agony Aunts workshop
Aims and objectives:
to explore and resolve problems related to using digital technologies in an educational
setting
Activity:
A panel of three students arrange themselves in front of an 'audience' of students to invite
questions, and to share their 'worst nightmare 'scenarios in relation to using digital
technologies in schools. These questions bring up issues about problems with hardware and
software, access to the internet, accessibility issues and general lack of equipment.
Intended outcomes:
to encourage discussion and sharing of practice in a supportive environment
comment
When this activitiy was carried out by the Sheffield Hallam students, some of the nightmare
scenarios included problems with equipment such as basing a lesson on a DVD or
PowerPoint presentation only to discover that the soundtrack on the DVD won’t play or
there is no computer in the classroom. Other questions touched upon engaging pupils with
additional learning difficulties with technology. The "agony aunts" attempted to offer
solutions to these problems by stressing preparation and always having a plan B; they also
emphasised the importance of reaching out to support personnel within the school. Most
importantly, they recommended turning technical glitches into a learning opportunity, for
instance by pretending that the sound track on the film has been deliberately deleted so
that pupils can invent their own. Overall, the main benefit of the activity was that it
encouraged sharing of real-life dilemmas experienced by students on placement and that it
allowed for sharing of practice in a supportive environment. This activity could easily be
adapted into an online format, where the question and answer session could take place on a
wiki or via Twitter chat.
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