Some more current views on learning, technology and teaching

a) Current views on learning

 Learning is essentially a social activity which comes about through the relationships which are created between people and the connections individual’s makes between the knowledge, activity and the communications which are delivered in a situated context. The factors which are important for learning include a desire or motivation to learn and the ability to apply oneself to the task or area of study. To learn you need to have clear goals about what you want to achieve from learning and they should be matched with what is on offer. Effective role models which may include mentors, teachers or peers provide opportunities for learners to observe and model behaviours which can support and enhance the learning process. The opportunity to practice the skill or activity being learned is another important factor to help learners retain knowledge and demonstrate the new skill or knowledge is being retained. For meaningful learning there has to be a change or increase in knowledge base, meaningful personal connections with the knowledge and a profound awaking which is sometimes described as the ‘ah ha’ moment. Meaningful learning is also evident when intellectual curiosity is further stimulated beyond the original learning goals and thus takes you on tangents or fosters a desire to further expand your knowledge base.   

 b) Technology Mediated Learning 

The role of technology mediated learning is to provide systems and tools that support and enhance the learning process. The technology platform must be engaging, motivational and support the learner’s goals and needs. As learning is primarily a social activity, technology mediated learning has to provide opportunities for humans to interact in a social context beyond the face to face environment. To do this technology has to have relevant instructional content, be easy to use, easy to install, easy to navigate and understand. It should allow both asynchronous and synchronous interactions where learners can choose when they want to participate and choose their level of active involvement. In addition, there needs to be a strong role model to mediate and frame the learning conversations and to foster an understanding of the implicit and external rules that govern the learning environment.

The best example of technology mediated learning I have experienced was my recent participation in the web based social networking application, Ning as part of e-Learning Experiences one. The Ning fostered social behaviours such as observation, modeling and participation in a wide range of social practices such as conversation, discussion and feedback. These primarily social activities offered opportunities for meaningful interaction, responding to each other socially, encouraging debate, evolving ideas and problem solving. My personal participation, both through lurking and active participation in the Ning definitely contributed to a more meaningful learning experience as the views, support and knowledge of other participants expanded my knowledge beyond my original learning goals.   

c) Teaching  

Teachers provide an important support structure and can reinforce a leaner’s motivational process by articulating the goals and the reasons for coming together in the first place to begin the learning process (often evident in tools such as a learning contract). Teachers play an important role in ensuring that the technology mediated learning environment has its origins in an educationally sound theoretical basis such as social constructivism and providing engaging and relevant content which supports the learning goals and outcomes.  Teachers also play an important role in modeling a range of behaviours where students can learn by observation and importantly provide support, links to resources and feedback during the learning process. In addition conscious facilitation by teachers within the technology mediated learning environment will help students understand a predictable rhythm about how and when they should participate and help participants learn the norms, roles and expectations of the learning environment.