An opportunity to explore the different ways you can use your smart devices to discover and connect to people, ideas and resources and how you can benefit from these in a number of ways depending on your needs and aspirations.
You will find 2 scenarios below. Pick at least one of them to work with on this topic. Feel free to add further scenarios linked to this topic to this page as a comment and select the one that fits best with what you would like to explore. Identify if there are others you could work with on this. Remember that you could use the FISh model.
“I’m looking forward to starting my project. So pleased I could pick something that really interests me! It makes such a difference. Can’t wait to start exploring this! I wonder if anyone I know has explored this topic. How could I find out? Could I tap in to the knowledge of my own connections and those people they are connected to? Can I actually do this? And what if I have any questions. Who could help me?”
“I am new to all this. I have a smart phone and am using it as a phone to call people and send SMS but that is it. Ok, occasionally I am taking a photograph of places I visit but that is it. I have seen colleagues using their smart phones for teaching? I find this bizarre! Why should I use my phone? A colleague tried to explain to me what he does and showed me some of the apps he is using with his students. I never downloaded an app! Why would I? I am a really busy! I don’t have time for all that social media stuff and being connected all the time. I really don’t see the benefits of this. Do I need a phone or a tablet or even both to be a proper teacher these days? Really don’t get it!”
By the end of this topic and if you fully engaged in all 3 activities, you will have had the opportunity to…
1. explore opportunities to connect with peers, tutors and the wider community using smart devices to support inclusive learning and teaching in and outside the classroom
2. discuss at least one of the scenarios and identify how this/these links/link to your own practice
3. reflect on your current learning and/or teaching practice linked to using smart devices to connect with others for learning and teaching
Use the resources provided to deepen your understanding linked to this topic. Share resources you have found useful with the BYOD4L community.
Pick ‘n’ mix activities
Definitely do the first activity and at least 1 more! If you are learning within a group consider engaging in one of the below as a collaborative activity. Remember to share on Twitter using #byod4l
1.Who is who: Introduce yourself to the BYOD4L community via Twitter, in the Facebook group or in the Google + community. You could for example share a link to a video where you introduce yourself, a picture, a link to your profile on another site. (ilo-1)
2. Making: Create a digital artefact on your own or with others that capture your learning based on your discoveries linked to one of the scenarios. What is the value of connections for learning and teaching? Capture your thoughts using a video clip, animated slideshare of images, a cartoon, a poster, a presentation, a poem, a visualisation as a mindmap or concept map. (ilo-2)
3.Reflection: As a blog post reflect on your current practice linked to this topic and identify opportunities to plan for action. What could you try and why? What difference could this make to your learning and/or teaching experience? (ilo-3)
Tools and Apps on Edshelf for: Connecting
Also check the Tools tab for suggestions and remember the Resources and suggested readings too!
Use Comments to share your own suggestions with us.
Do tweet about what you have learnt – Be sure to include the course hashtag #BYOD4L