Elevate

The strongest educators I’ve come across who use technologies such as videoconferencing to improve student learning all seem to ‘get it’, regardless of their level of experience operating the equipment or knowledge of the ‘tekkie’ side of VC. Strong teachers seem to be able to make instant connections to how VC technologies (or any other technologies) can be used meaningfully in the classroom. Why is that?

My theory is that our actions as teachers are based on our beliefs and values related to learning and teaching, and that the strongest educators can fairly easily articulate what their beliefs are about learning and teaching are. Moreover, they seem to wear these beliefs like a pair of lenses, and that any new resources or tools that come their way can be seen through these lenses.

One of my favorite blog postings about learning which resonated a lot with me was Cathy Sierra’s ‘Crash course in learning theory’ post

Knowing things such as how the brain works, combined with the knowledge of what skills our students need, seems to me to be the best combination to arm oneself in using VC effectively. Seeing students excited and motivated about learning, seeing them engaged in short, interesting large group activities combined with interactive, task-oriented, issue-filled, or problem-solving activities, and being involved in multisensory activities with a healthy dose of emotion all seem like recipes for success.

What are your beliefs about teaching and learning? How do these beliefs affect how you use VC and supportive technologies? With the help of my good friend and colleague Tyler Heaton at the University of Lethbridge (what an amazing team they have down there - now THAT’s a group that ‘gets it’), we are creating a short promotional video for the Elevate 2008 conference website which will incorporate facts and quotations related to learning with VC. Think ‘Did you know?’ with a VC flavor. Knowing Tyler, he’ll do an amazing job and I can’t wait to see it.

If any of you in the VC blogosphere care to share your favorite quotes related to learning, VC, technology, etc - even if those quotes are your own - feel free to email them to me or submit them in the comments section. We’ll make you famous!