Sunday, 7 February 2016

‘Techknowledgy’ With Innovations



Innovative Learning Activities

It is known from common experience that when things have been done in a certain way or a set of ways over a given period of time, and that the outcomes are still not significantly good as anticipated, then it is time to experiment something differently. Innovation is simply ‘the experiment of looking at things differently’ as defined by me.

Focusing on the real world actually requires innovative learning and teaching. Karen Bonanno in her 40 mins video (found here: http://eduwebinar.com.au/archives/2271) clearly outlines 18 of the common innovative activities the learner would require to be innovative (and creative) to fit in the environment.

In addition to her innovations, one could be innovative by physically engaging the learners with activities such as running, jumping, dancing around (for a couple of mins) as an ice breaker to keep the brain steadfast. Such innovations foster an understanding in a fun and an exciting manner.

Integrating Innovative Learning with Teaching

The table below gives some of the common innovations of ‘Techknowledgy’ Innovative Learning Environments

First-Order Innovations
Second-Order Innovations
1.    blogs, wikis
2.    social networking sites
3.    virtual learning environments (VLE)
4.    laptops, netbooks and tablet PCs
5.    interactive whiteboards
6.    Web apps
7.    digital cameras, scanners, projectors
8.    e-Learning
9.    digital portfolios
1.    augmented reality (AR)
2.    simulations
3.    digital games
4.    console games
5.    remote-response systems
6.    mobile/handheld computing
7.    programming applications
8.    pico projectors
9.    electronic books

As Martin pointed out in his blog (found here: martinlubega.blogspot.com) that learners are different and need not to be over stretched in the process of innovations, so I will adopt innovation in my teaching by using a combination of some of the first order and second order innovations listed above in the table like: blogs, wikis, social net working site (1st order), augmented reality, simulations, electronic books (1st order).

Ciao!

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post Mustafa. If you incorporate social networks in your lessons they make the attractive to the learners. Remember use of technology the learners use in their free time may have a long lasting effect.

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  2. Thanks for the post Mustafa. If you incorporate social networks in your lessons they make the attractive to the learners. Remember use of technology the learners use in their free time may have a long lasting effect.

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  3. Thanks Mundu for this reflection on innovative learning. I hope the Almighty God will give you strength to actuate your plans in the real classroom situation. It's one thing to have a great plan, it's another to execute it. All the best, Sir.

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  4. Thanks Mustafa. I have really liked first-order and second-order innovations. Hope we can try to apply them in our learning environment

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  5. Way to go Mustapha. I appreciate the way you ordered the innovations. Thanks for the video too.

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  6. Thank you Mustafa for the table. It is educating.

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  7. Impressive Mustapha! Both 1st and 2nd order need constant internet connectivity. I pray that Uganda looks into this direction. We all need to be/have? Tecknowledgy

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