This document discusses classroom approaches that effectively incorporate technology. It outlines learning outcomes around matching technologies to teaching and learning activities, critically evaluating technologies, and becoming familiar with the assessment platform Mahara. Key questions are provided to evaluate technologies based on supporting learning outcomes, added value, accessibility, ease of use, data collection, and engagement. Different categories of classroom technologies are described, including tools for annotation, assessment, dialogue, collaboration, explanation, and presentation. Specific examples are provided for brainstorming, assessment, explanation, and other tool categories. Tips are offered for effectively incorporating technologies into the classroom. Critical questions are posed about which technologies have the greatest impact and the relative value of digital versus tangible tools.

1. Transforming Technologies:
Teaching and Learning in the
Digital Age
Session 4:
Classroom approaches that really
work

2. Learning outcomes
• To discuss the types of teaching, learning and
activities that go on in a classroom or training
room and match technology solutions to them.
• To critically evaluate the effectiveness of
classroom technologies against agreed, shared
criteria.
• To become familiar with Mahara and negotiate
agreed assessment criteria for assignment 2.

3. What do we want from learning?

4. What do we expect from
teaching/training?

5. Critical questions to ask
• How is the technology supporting the desired learning
outcomes of the session?
• How does the intervention add value?
• How accessible is the technology? Is it multi-platform? Is it
free?
• How much ‘lead in’ time is required to learn this tool?
• Does this tool collect data and how can this made
available?
• What is the availability of this outside of the classroom?
• How engaging is this tool? Do students and teachers enjoy
it?

6. ‘Value’ and technology

7. ‘Access’ and classroom technology
Accessible
content
Does it
support me?
Accessible
interface
Can I work
it?
Cultural
capital
Do I value it?
Accessible
task
Does it
engage me?
Adapted from JISC, A Model of Accessible M-Learning:
http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/pages/detail/floating_pages/A_Model_of_Accessible_m-learning

8. Classroom technology categories
• Tools for annotation and analysis
• Tools for real time assessment and capturing
student thinking
• Tools for ongoing classroom dialogue
• Tools for brainstorming and collaboration
• Tools for explanation and demo
• Tools for presentation and progress

9. Tools for brainstorming and
collaboration
• Mindjet
• Simplemind
• iBrainstorm
• Padlet
• Popplet
• GroupBoard

10. Tools for real time assessment and
student thinking
• Responseware
• Polleverywhere
• Nearpod
• Socrative
• Kahoot

11. Tools for explanation and demo
• You Tube
• Screenchomp
• Show Me
• Audacity
• Audio Boo
• Quizlet

12. Tools for annotation an analysis
• iAnnotate
• Live scribe
• Google docs
• Evernote
• Smartboard
• Wordle

13. Tools for presentation and ‘progress’
• PowerPoint
• Keynote
• Prezi
• Webquests
• Nearpod
• Document visualisers

14. Tools for ongoing classroom dialogue
• Today’s Meet
• Twitter

15. Experiment with a tool
• Use the time to experiment with a tool of your
choice. Work on your own or in a pair or small
group to create a resource which could be
used as a classroom technology.
• Be prepared to share what you have done.

16. Tips for incorporating classroom
technologies
• Ensure tools are working before use! This
includes connection to wifi
• Set-up pre-prepared templates, boards or
rooms.
• Give students/participants quick routes to
tools, such as QR codes, shortened hyperlinks.
• Consider the purposefulness of the tool in its
relationship to the learning outcomes.

17. Critical questions
• Which classroom technologies have the
greatest impact, in terms of the criteria we
have set for good teaching and learning?
• What is the relative value of digital versions of
artefacts like ‘post-it notes’ compared to more
tangible versions? What is gained and/or what
is lost in the use of these tools?