ill-structured problems

Integrating EducationalTechnology into the Curriculum

In order to prepare students for the demands of this new century change in the way teaching and learning occurs must take place. Learning environments must become more authentic, by giving students the opportunities to use higher order thinking and problem solving skills connected to real world applications (Fouts, 2000).  It is this need along with the change in the current student population that has led to the rethinking of learning theories and the revamping of learning environments.  These new theories whose foundations are based on older educational theories are vastly different in their methods of teaching and learning.

Supporting Personalised Learning Frequently mentioned throughout the interviews was the goal of allowing learners to explore their personal interests, culture and social context through assessment. Several participants sought to design assessment that allowed learners to tap into these aspects of their personal lives. Where learners could exercise choice and pursue projects of personal interest, a greater sense of ownership was observed. James commented that “they love the idea that they are in control of what they do”, when given more choice around assessment. Other participants suggested it was possible to have learners working on projects that could benefit their personal lives or professional trajectories as part of formal coursework. In her final assignment, Olivia provides the learners “absolute free reign in terms of what kind of a thing they produced.” Learners use their creative interests to develop resources for the course, as Olivia reflects “some opted for essays still, but other students created digital timelines, infographics, podcasts, comic books, videos.” Personalisation of assessment was suggested to allow learners to represent and situate themselves authentically and creatively through their work.

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.

Here, incubation becomes a method to develop a mindset for engaging with the world.