Blended Learning

 

Unit Two Discussion Board One

Jack Lilly

Colorado Technical University

CS875: Futuring and Innovation

Dr. Calongne

January 4, 2022

Unit Two Discussion Board One

Technology

    The technology to discuss is mobile learning and it has become a powerful platform for education. Mobile learning refers to learning via the internet or network using personal mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and digital notebooks (Singh, H., 2021). Though this platform has been around for several years, it had not become significant until a few years. With the introduction of COVID-19, mobile learning became a vital asset and was sometimes the only viable platform that allowed students to continue their education at the time. 

    At my place of employment, my team is responsible for maintaining the 1:1 iPad Initiative in which all students K-12 borrow an Apple iPad from the Board of Education that facilitates their learning. The device enables blended learning by acting as a repository for all books and a portal to Schoology. They can interact with their class by submitting assignments or taking tests. When COVID-19 came about, and schools were temporarily closed, these devices acted as the only means students could continue their coursework. Fortunately, the system has been in place for several years, and students switched to true mobile learning with barely a hitch. 

Trend

    The trend to be discussed is blended learning and how it positively impacts students. Blended learning is an umbrella term that encompasses face-to-face teaching with technology-facilitated instruction (Educause, 2017). This trend will continue to rise because it is versatile and convenient for all users involved. Regarding my place of employment, blended learning has been in practice for the better part of a decade. Teachers assign all content through the portal provided by Schoology while also leading their classrooms in a face-to-face environment. 

Forces

    Two forces that impact blended learning and mobile learning are technological and societal. Technological forces become prevalent as technology evolves, becomes better networked and smaller, and more mobile. Students can use any device, including the small cell phone in their pocket, to access their classroom items and complete assignments. The societal force stems from the level of convenience afforded to students, teachers, and parents. Students have constant access to their coursework; teachers can instantly check on submitted work and even have it scored automatically; parents can closely monitor their child’s academics through a parent account instead of waiting for a paper grade card. All tasks are important because of the convenience inferred by the societal force. 

References

Educause. (2017). Horizon report: 2017 higher education edition. Retrieved December 16, 2021, from             https://library.educause.edu/-/media/files/library/2017/2/2017horizonreporthe.pdf

Singh, H. (2021). Why is mobile learning now more than just a nice-to-have? eLearning Industry.                 Retrieved December 16, 2021, from https://elearningindustry.com/why-mobile-learning-is-more-than-        just-nice-to-have