retrofitting learning environments

Retrofitting Learning Retrofitting Learning EnvironmentsEnvironments

Carter F. Smith 615-656-3505

carterfsmith@gmail.com www.carterfsmith.com

Carter F. Smith 615-656-3505

carterfsmith@gmail.com www.carterfsmith.com

for Today’s Hyper-Networked Studentsfor Today’s Hyper-Networked Students

OutlineOutline

• Why retrofitting?

• Who are our students - what do they want?

• Technology Assisted Learning

• Benefits – Student– Professor

Why retrofitting?

Retrofitting Learning EnvironmentsRetrofitting Learning Environments

. . . the ongoing practice of radically redesigning learning environments, including all participants, so learning is not stifled, hampered, or otherwise limited by unnecessary restrictions of space, time, topic, or any combination thereof.

Who are our students Who are our students -- what do they want?-- what do they want?

Members of the Net GenerationMembers of the Net Generation

• Not based on age–Experience

–Exposure

• Information in moments• Higher Ed vs. Google

Technology AssistanceTechnology Assistance

• Learning Management Systems

• Asynchronous Opportunities

• Live Engagement Opportunities

• Group Engagement Opportunities

• Social/Business Networking Sites

Learning Management SystemsLearning Management Systems

• Desire2Learn• Blackboard• ANGEL• Epsilen • Learn.com• e-College • Element K • Joomla • Moodle

Asynchronous OpportunitiesAsynchronous Opportunities

• Email• Private messages• Message boards• Presentations• Audio• Video

Live Engagement OpportunitiesLive Engagement Opportunities

• Chat

• Instant Messaging

• Voice Call

• Conference Call

• Video Conference

• Event Attendance

Group Engagement StrategiesGroup Engagement Strategies

• Mailing list & forum posting– Requires minimal time investment– Reaches large numbers of people– Usually builds diversity, stimulates thinking

• Blogging– Easy to set up and use– Personal vs. corporate voice– Blogs create networks

• Publishing online– E-zines– Online publications / web sites– Content communities

Social/Business Networking SitesSocial/Business Networking Sites

• Facebook

• MySpace

• LinkedIn

• Live Mocha

• Tribe

• Bebo

• Ning

Student BenefitsStudent Benefits

• Collaborative Learning

• Established Social Networks and Techniques

• Creativity and Imagination

Professor BenefitsProfessor Benefits

• Joy of learning something new.

• Envious looks from your peers.

• Less time to communicate more.

• Equipping an entire generation with the tools and strategies needed to rule the world.

Bonus BenefitsBonus Benefits

• Catalyze the learning process . . . personally and professionally.

• Capitalizing on student use of social networks.

• Strategically stay in contact with graduates.

• Students establish and maintain valued connections.

Cost for useCost for use

• Email - $0

• Social Networking site - $0

• IM account - $0

• Skype/Conference Call - $0

• Text messaging on mobile phone $?– Depends on provider

• Communication with students . . .

– Michael Powell, FCC Chairman, after using Skype

Change is Change is inevitableinevitable

Retrofitting Retrofitting Learning Learning

EnvironmentsEnvironments

Carter F. Smith

615-656-3505 carterfsmith@gmail.com

www.carterfsmith.com

Carter F. Smith

615-656-3505 carterfsmith@gmail.com

www.carterfsmith.com