Can mobile techniques help enhance students to learn actively? Prof Lilian Kwan, UIC Associate Vice President, and Dr Kai Pan Mark, Associate Director (e-Learning) of the Information Technology Services Centre, spoke of e-learning technology and involved the audience in online learning and interaction through the Bb (Blackboard) Mobile Learn App at the International Business Schools Information Forum in Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou on 20 November 2014.
The Bb Mobile Learn App can be installed in all types of mobile devices. Teachers can use this App to enhance student engagement in their learning through direct access to the information in the Blackboard academic course site, or to undertake interactive activities to collect student feedback during class in real time. Mobile learning is also applicable beyond the classroom for student learning when appropriate activities are designed, such as collecting information from commercial outlets for creation of an e-catalogue.
“Mobile technology is available anytime, anywhere,” said Prof Kwan, pointing out that this mobile learning method befits “the behaviour of digital natives.” As the majority of this group possess a smart phone, which can be a very powerful learning tool, the achievement of intended learning outcomes and learning motivation can be thus elevated if used properly. But most important of all, the ultimate goal is to cultivate a habit of curiosity in learning new things.
| In addition, to upgrade the e-learning experience on campus, workshops for staff development have been held since September 2014, with topics including using e-rubrics to enhance student learning, enhancing student engagement in class with the use of e-learning strategies, and sharing experience on e-learning beyond the classroom. |
(Republished from MPRO’s UIC Beacon Issue XIV)
