TEL- Work Sample #4

Work Sample #4

Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) 

Summary

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is “the latest terms that have been used to describe the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) to learning and teaching” (Kirkwood and Price, 2010, p. 772). As the term ‘enhanced’ suggests, the technology (various kinds of ICT) incorporated is to improve/strength the learning and teaching in some way, different to the traditional methods. TEL can be found on any identified technology orientated service that can be incorporated into the classroom to support learning and teaching. Examples of TEL include; smart boards, interactive white boards, social media (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter), and Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Movie Maker est.

Many have recognized TEL to support or replace existing teaching practices "Institutional transformation of teaching and learning through technology" (Mayes & Morrison, 2009). How it is used depends on the type of TEL/ICT resource that is being utilised. 

In groups, we were given a task that required us to  (my group consisted of myself, Nazrana Esat, Michelle Ma and Bethwyn Richards) deliver a brief presentation on TEL covering what it is,why we use it, its advantages and disadvantages. Here is the link to the presentation that was uploaded onto WIKI in blackboard: 
https://lms.curtin.edu.au/webapps/Bb-wiki-bb_bb60/wikiView?course_id=_66677_1&wiki_id=_16692_1&page_guid=d9579cdad86b4abfb2e0a2e34bb01a58. 
Below is my contribution to the presentation which i will be using as a work sample.

Reflection 

With the world becoming more and more digitally orientated, TEL resources are becoming more evident in the classroom as a way to facilitate teaching and learning. 

The incorporation of TEL resources have countless advantages, according to the University of Nottingham  a few of these include;

• Ease of communication- between staff and students
• Rewatching a lecture- if student/teacher is absent, for questions/notes/clarifications
• Immediate feedback
• Assessing students instantly
• Increase in ICT skills for both teachers and students
• Encourage anytime-anyplace access to course materials
• Increase opportunities for student participation, encouraging less confident students to take part
• Promote student engagement (using interactive learning materials), improving learner motivation and satisfaction
• Give direct access to relevant and up-to-date information
• Enhance opportunities for collaborative group work
• Improve communication with course tutor and teaching assistants
• Facilitate communication between students, promoting peer group support

 (University of Nottingham, 2013)

Some Disadvantages:

• This incorporation doesn't always mean interaction, students may begin to defer in their development of interpersonal skills – such as communication, co-operation and interaction between peers/ teachers.
• Not everyone may be able to access the resource
• Technology is easily distracting (especially if the TEL resource involves social media) and students may stray from task 
• Technology is often costly, there is also the additional cost of repairing, replacing or updating if something goes wrong
• Technology is not always reliable, for example freezing or crashing of software. 
• Students/Teachers may become to dependant on technology to do everything for them, this makes them defer in previously learnt skills like remembering and retaining information.