Smart Devices for Learning #2

Host: University of Huddersfield, Friday 6th September 2013

Title: Smart Devices for Learning #2: using smartphones, tablets and apps to enhance learning

Building on the interest and success of the first MELSIG smart device special focus event in February, academics, educational developers and learning technologists had the opportunity to hear about and think about how smart technologies like Apple, Android and Windows smartphones and tablets can be used by students and staff to enhance learning. The day aimed to share and develop good practice in an important emerging field.

This page provides an outline of the day with links to key resources from the sessions.

Welcome to the University of Huddersfield and to MELSIG

Introductions

Welcome to University of Huddersfield by Professor Tim Thornton, Pro Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning (University of Huddersfield)
Introduction to MELSIG by Andrew Middleton (MELSIG and Sheffield Hallam University)

Innovation at Huddersfield

  • Academic use of iPads – Olaojo Aiyegbayo (University of Huddersfield)
  • Mobile devices and social learning networks – Cheryl Reynolds (University of Huddersfield)

Innovation in the region

Invited case studies from UK HEI and FEIs in the north of England

Designing and evaluating eBook resources: two case studies

Hayley Atkinson (University of Leeds)

Augmenting Reality in Health & Wellbeing – Robin Gissing (Sheffield Hallam University)

Parallel sessions

Smart Students – Identity and belonging

Student-led workshop that looked at how students are using smart technology to support their experience of being at University.
Anne Nortcliffe, Sam Clark and Christian Scarlet (Sheffield Hallam University)

Idea Generation – 100 Great Ideas for Smart Device Learning

This creativity workshop used several idea generation methods to explore ways in which smart technologies will change post-compulsory education for ever! To begin with we drew upon what we are already doing and then established ideas for other innovative practice.

Killer Apps – sharing practice

Alex Spiers (Liverpool John Moores University) & Chrissi Nerantzi (University of Salford)
Participants identified their ‘killer apps’, and the challenges and opportunities they present staff and students. How do we map smart apps to ideas like: communication, collaboration, sharing, creating, staying safe, and curating? What do we need to think about when we use smart technologies to support these approaches?

Ethics of Smart Learning

Chris Hall (Sheffield Hallam University)
The increasing complexity of smart devices means an ever more complex supply chain, manufacturing process and impact on the developing world and the environment. Should we be advocating the adoption and expansion of digital technology when it’s manufacture, distribution and usage can have such impacts? Should the uncritical use of smart devices and the digital realm be as socially unacceptable as single occupancy cars, non-fair trade coffee, conflict diamonds or smoking?

Delegate Thunderstorms – open session led by delegates

Open session led by delegates

Case Studies: Stories from students who teach in Higher Education

Chrissi Nerantzi (University of Salford)
Reflecting on the mobile learning innovation work carried out by students who are teachers in HE studying towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice on the Learning and Teaching in Higher Education module – a greenhouse, where ideas grow, develop and evolve.

Chrissi Nerantzi with Liz Hannaford: “A module in our pocket”

Being Smart! – Reflections on the day

Delegates discussed the challenges, opportunities and ideas from the day using the now traditional ‘pass the parcel’ MELSIG method – Recording available

16:00 Finish and Depart