Leading Education using Emerging Technologies

"Access to expert performances and the modelling of processes"- Real world connection... Let's explore the third element of Authentic learning which is to "Provide access to expert performance and the modelling of processes with the video below -  Debate-A-Palooza 2011, Introductory Remarks Dr. Brian Lain, Dr. Michael Burgess Expert Performance could be referred to as providing students access to expert thinking and modelling of processes. Some attributes of this element of authentic learning will include: Creating a platform for students to have a feel of how experts would act or think. An example of an authentic in-classroom activities that caters for this attribute can be seen in "debates and deliberations",  here students are required to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize knowledge. Debates and deliberations help build modes of thinking that students need as professionals. In the video above, UNT Associate Professor, Dr. Brain L...

"Authentic Task"- The core of authentic learning.. Let's explore "Authentic Tasks" as the second element with the video below - Authentic tasks take student learning outside the classroom An authentic task is an ill-defined problem and complex assignment that is created with the intent to access the learner’s ability to appropriate their ability in tackling real-life challenges with the knowledge and skills acquired whilst meeting their learning needs. An authentic task allows learner to further probe concepts by inquiry, brings a connection with the learner and the real-world challenges. What are the pointers that a task is authentic? When a task brings a matching clarity to problems encountered in the day to day environment of the learner. When the task gives flexibility to allowing students build their responses other than been boxed to a set of option. What is the relevance of an Authentic task? An authentic task leaves the le...

"Authentic Context" - Drawing the line between abstract theories/concepts and real-world connections.. Let's explore "Authentic Context" as the first element with the video below - Solving Real-World Problems: Bringing Authentic Context to Learning Using the video above, I will be setting a bit of a background on what exactly an "AUTHENTIC CONTEXT" is.  In the first classroom learning example the teacher  of a set of 1st grade learners  applies problem solving questions to probe and story readings to engage the minds and initial understanding on the subject of focus - Spider expedition of her learners. Further to these intial activities, students are tasked with carrying out individual research on different species of spiders, gather facts from their research and embark on a story writing projects on their chosen spider species. The research bit of their task opens these learners to a real-world connection of their subject of focus. In ...

"What is Authentic Learning?" In the context of education, authentic learning is regarded as an instructional methodology that gives room for students to become creative thinkers, collaborative, deliberate, as well build constructive and well defined concepts  in contexts that relate to real-world problems, products, solutions and services which of essence of relevance to the learner. Check out the video below that showcases the design principle aspects/elements of Authentic Learning Furthermore, authentic learning can be viewed as varied educational techniques that typically focuses on form real world connections with what students have learnt in school to real-world problems and appropriating meaningful solutions or applications to tackle these problems. Learning will be regarded as more relevant or say " Authentic" when students are exposed to learning that prepares them to gain new skills and concepts that replicates real-life contexts whil...