The ‘Double Life’ of an i-Pod
Educational potential of new
learning technologies
Dr Palitha Edirisingha
‘Double life’ of technology
(David Noble, 1984)
‘An important unofficial second function’
(David Bell, 2006)
MP3 players …
from a peripheral technology  core technology
The research project
• A pilot study:
•
•
UoL engineering module
Four universities:
Leicester, Kingston, London, Gloucestershire
Disciplines:
engineering, genetics, physics, chemistry,
sociology, human geography, physical
geography, veterinary sciences, …
Informal Mobile Podcasting
And Learning Adaptation
www.impala.ac.uk
Research questions
How does students’ learning supported by podcasting differ from
their learning through structured campus or e-learning processes?
What kinds of quality pedagogical applications can be developed
for podcasting through MP3 players for students’ informal use within
formal HE modules to enhance their learning?
Can students switch from using MP3 players for entertainment to
learning?
What are the psychological, social and institutional barriers to
and advantages of more informal learning using podcasting?
Literature …
• Cognition through clarity
•
•
• New tools to support learning
• Specific needs and cognitive
•
•
abilities of diverse learners
Situated and authentic learning
experiences
Personalised learning
(Sharples, 2001; Kukulska-Hulme & Traxler,
2005;JISC, 2005; Taylor et al,
forthcoming; Sariola & Rionka, 2003;
Plant, 2001)
•
of instructions
Emotional aspects
immediacy and
connection
Sense of online
community, satisfaction
(Durbridge, 1984; Bates, 1981;
Laaser, 1986; Power, 1990)
Research methodology
Staff
Initial
interviews
question’e
Student
Final
question’e
focus
groups
Student
personal
interviews
12 Weeks
phone conversations, emails,
Access to technology
• Not a limiting factor
• One or more devices with MP3 playback
– Dedicated MP3 players
– Mobile phones
– Laptops
– Desktops
More …
More on access to technology …
Data
• No of participants
• Average age (yrs)
• Females
• Males
• Gender not given
KU
66
21
47
19
UoL
49
19
15
32
2
Pattern and location of listening
• Majority listen to 50% or more
• Majority listen off the campus
How podcasts helped learning
-Good introduction to online learning material
-Organise my weekly learning activities
-To stay focused on the course
-Bringing in a sense of informality to academic learning
-Helped to manage time effectively
- Helped to understand more about e-tivities
-Helped to stimulate interest in the subject
- Helped with assessed work
Pedagogical applications:
A framework to think about
podcasts in teaching
and learning
Creator/contributor?
Learner?
Purpose?
A framework to categorise
podcasts in teaching
and learning
Purpose
Undergrads
Learner
Postgrads
Integrating core resources, UoL Engineering
e-tivities, assessm’t
Support field-work UoL, KU Geography
Pre face-to-face prepar’n
Post face-to-face support UoN, KU Geography
Assessments KU English
Conceptual development UoL Physics
Current issues
Accessibility
Motivational UoL Engineering
Provide feedback UoL Engineering
Feed forward UoL Engineering
Listen again
Logistical
UoL Sociology
Moving from entertainment to
learning
• Distinguish between academic and
entertainment material
– Attention, focus,
• Different technologies to listen to
academic materials and music
– Laptop as work-related
• Readiness …
Use of MP3 player
100
80
60
40
20
0
listen to music
transferred from a
computer
download and
listen to music
podcasts
download and
listen to other
kinds of podcast
download and
listen to
educational
material
Other
‘Domesticating’ a technology
1st life:
entertainment,
business
2nd Life:
formal learning
appropriation
From shop to home, to
the person
???
objectification
A space at home, in the
person
???
incorporation
Finding a place into the
routine of life
???
conversion
Display ownership and
competence in a public
culture, share music, …
???
Resources
• www.impala.ac.uk
• www.e-tivities.com
• www.le.ac.uk/beyonddistance
• [email protected]
Learning Futures Conference
University of Leicester, UK
9th, 10th January 2007
(near East Midlands, Birmingham
and Luton Airports)