Use of ICT in Learning and Teaching

What is Game Based Learning ? Part 1 Date:15th Sep 2020/Tuesday  This blog post is also inspired from my online course with #ISTE about game based learning . We will look into game mechanics and game dynamics, explore how brain activity is affected through games, understand the difference gamification and game based learning, define the purpose of game based learning, and make a case for introducing games in all levels. So lets begin by exploring what is game based learning? game based learning occurs when the students/learners reach or meet their learning objectives by playing a game, by being part of a game. For example students play a board based game in class, and learn the topic or concept through the game, students engage in immersive learning experience like learning math through mine craft, or building a city architecture in mine craft,  practice literacy skills in Reading Eggs, learn mapping skills in an interactive mapping skill activity online and so on. Gamificatio...

Designing Learning Experiences Online Part 3 Date: 14th Sep 2020/Monday This is my 3rd blog post in a series of posts about designing learning experiences online inspired from my course "Designing learning experiences online" with #ISTE. This post will put together all the content in the 3 blogs. We will summarize in the end the steps needed for designing effective and meaningful learning experiences online.  So we will look into designing content online that reduces cognitive load, and explore ways in which we could leverage text and multimedia in meaningful ways. We have already discussed in detail Meyers 12 Multimedia design principles. So what is cognitive load? cognitive load is the effort being used by the working memory. Working memory is the short term memory and long term memory is the place where data is permanently stored for infinite time period. Graphic design is the visual content to communicate messages. We know from research that our working memory can only...

Designing Learning Experiences Online Part 2 Date: 4th Sep 2020/Friday So how do we choose the best tools for online and blended learning. Do we need to choose all tools that are freely available or do we need to look for some criteria. What elements do we consider when we select tools for our digital tool box?  Michele Eaton my course instructor for  Designing Learning Experiences Online with #ISTE says that in times of this pandemic you could give your students and yourself some grace, because everybody is stressed at times, they must understand each other. Technology should not be just used for delivering content online but for creating meaningful learning experiences online, formative assessment online, encouraging collaboration, communication online.Though there are a lot of free tools available but not everyone needs to be explored. Be comfortable with using the tools students already know well. Be intentional with creating online learning experiences because learning is...

Designing Learning Experiences Online Part 1 2nd Sep 2020/Wednesday This blog post is inspired from my online course with #ISTE about designing learning experiences online. Its an insight into what is online learning and what are the important elements that need to be taken into account while designing experiences online. This is important for us as educators because due to COVID most learning is happening remotely and online. We will look into strategies that could be used to make learning online more effective and meaningful. So, lets begin. Online  learning is basically the combination of instruction and assessment that happens online. Where as blended learning is a combination of both face to face and online instruction but it includes student agency. We will look into what is student agency and why is it important for online learning.We need to differentiate between asynchronous learning and synchronous learning. Asynchronous learning means that both the instructor, the audien...