ECE329 Education Technologies

The course focuses on the deployment of technology as an educational tool in life long learning contexts that target specific groups including pre-school learners, school learners, adult learners, professionals, and others. To course analysis traditional and emerging learning methodologies including collaborative learning, explorative learning, active learning, mobile learning, problem-based learning, project-based learning, and more. Subsequently the course focuses on how technology, and most importantly information technology, can be combined with emerging pedagogies towards the enhancement of learning processes and experiences in formal, informal, and non-formal learning. Specifically, the course analyses the deployment of technology as a tool that can be integrated into blended learning practices that involve instruction, practical applications that use technology, and other activities in and out of the classroom. Technologies in focus include knowledge and information management systems, synchronous communication technologies in learning, simulations, digital experiments, serious games, communities, mobile learning, touch screen technology, digital narration, and more. The course further analyses how technology can be applied towards addressing challenges faced by individuals at risk of exclusion, such as individuals facing learning difficulties, and others. The course furthermore focuses on how technology can contribute, in combination with pedagogical models, towards the development of basic, transversal skills including analytical thinking, critical thinking, entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, ability to work in a team, ability to work autonomously, ability to work in an international environment, etc. Finally the course focuses on emerging research areas including gamification, learning analytics, and others. Specific research activities and good practices are presented in the context of the course.

The course focuses on the deployment of technology as a complementary educational tool in combination with emerging pedagogies in the context of blended learning activities.

Upon completion of the course the learner should be able to:

• Be able to analyze learning needs of specific target groups in specific learning contexts
• Know and understand concepts related to basic competencies such as analytical thinking, critical thinking, entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, ability to work in a team, ability to work autonomously, ability to work in an international environment, etc.
• Know and understand emerging learning methodologies including collaborative learning, explorative learning, active learning, game-based learning, mobile learning, problem-based learning, narrative learning, project-based learning, and more as well as learning theories such as constructivism and constructionism
  Know, understand, and be able to apply learning evaluation processes based on specific learning objectives
• Know, understand, and be able to apply emerging information technologies in blended learning settings; technologies in focus include knowledge and information management systems, synchronous communication technologies in learning, simulations, digital experiments, serious games, communities, mobile learning, touch screen technology, digital narration, etc.
• Be aware of and understand the context of emerging research in learning including gamification, learning analytics, big data in education, etc.
• Be able to develop and present to a live audience end-to-end solutions on learning interventions that deploy technology towards addressing specific learning needs and towards meeting specific learning goals