Abstract
This paper shares the findings from a three year Participatory Action Research Study around the selection, implementation and effectiveness of educational technologies for enhancing learning in a Teacher Education subject for second year pre-service primary teachers. The innovative Project-Based subject is described using a critical lens. The paper will share how two lecturers and their students explored their changing roles as teachers and learners and the tensions that emerged between their beliefs about student centred, authentic learning and the role of technology. It will explore the ways the technological innovations began to reshape and inform thinking about teaching and learning practices.
Highlights
Universities appear to have lost their way
Many delegates spoke of the need to foster innovation in teaching and subject design, for example, “Part of what is happening is that students are afraid to take risks, they are absolutely driven by the tyranny of marks” (Ramona Lumpkin, President of Mount Saint Vincent University)
Our initial aim was to design a university subject within a Teacher Education program that better responded to the needs of 21st Century learners
Summary
Universities appear to have lost their way. Non-attendance at lectures is an ongoing problem occurring across countries, universities and disciplines (Gosper et al, 2008; Gump, 2006; Nicholl & Timmins, 2005). Salopek (2003) argued that Generation Y or “digital natives” as Prensky (2001) called them prefer a different approach to learning. As visual learners, they are attracted to graphics, animation and video; they are active learners as opposed to passive; they can have a relatively short attention span and the boundaries between work and play are increasingly blurred. Many university programs have not succeeded in integrating innovative approaches to learning with the use of technology into their teaching and into students’ learning (Brown & Warschauer, 2006; Fishman & Davis, 2006; Otero et al 2005). Numerous studies provide evidence that students in programs that integrate and model the use of technology perform better
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
