Connecting learning: formal and informal

A recent post on Slideshare (a site for sharing your presentations), by Mike Sharples University of Nottingham, Disruptive mobile learning, can certainly spark your imagination when considering questions such as:

• How can we enable effective 1:1 digital learning in the classroom?
• What can we do to connect learning about the world with learning in the world?
• How can we extend the classroom into everyday learning?

The point is made that ballpoint pens, calculators and more recently mobile phones have been banned from classrooms because of their disruptive nature. However, if the educational potential of handheld technologies can be realised, then this may be a way forward (probably via laptops??).

Multimodal learning

The recent Cisco paper, Multimodal learning through media: what the research says, pulls together some recent research in neuroscience, cognitive science and mulitmedia. Quite a good read which clearly supports the efficacy of multimedia in learning. It does raise quite a few questions:

• What does this research mean for interactive classrooms using IWBs and videoconferencing facilities?
• How can we reduce cognitive load?
• What considerations need to be in place to allow for dual coding?
• What types of activities afford the best opportunities for students to learn basic skills? higher-order skills?
• Is scaffolding required and if so, what does it 'look like'?
• Is pedagogy more important than media?