Today, it turns out, is National Peanut Butter and Jelly day. I did not know this when I made my sandwich last night (PBJ of course). This is maybe not a ‘parade down main street’ type of holiday but … it reminds me how powerful a connection we have with simplicity. Oh, we do love a good complex high tech solution in higher ed, but often, we find we are brought back to the basics of why we do what we do. The “what” we do is to encourage the dreamer in 21st century students, preparing them to be effective and productive digital citizens. This can take many paths, but today I bring up the faculty innovation pilot project, “iPads and the Un-Tethered Professor” as the ‘PBJ’ approach to classroom innovation.
This project looked at how technology could be leveraged to “free” the professors from behind the lectern to walk around the room and engage with their students. In both classes, Keynote was the presentation tool of choice. Keynote Remote app was the tech tool we found that was simple to use and allowed the professors to leave their laptop behind and roam the class with only their iPad mini and or iPhone in their hands. This solution required minimal one time set up on the first use, but then was all ready to go each class period. Professors were able to view their notes from a presenter view and control the advancing of slides as well as navigate to websites or other resources as questions came up from the class. Their use of presentation technology did not have to be lessened and as a result, both students and teacher were able to enjoy more of a two way discussion than a static one way presentation.
I feel that in our early years of schooling, the teacher is able to come to our desk to help or talk about a specific question. As we progress through the grades, personal connection seems to lesson to some degree except in some science or PE classes. The straight lecture format has it’s place in some classrooms and courses, but as learners, we crave a certain level of connection with our instructors who can address some individual question or concern. This project was born out of the professors’ desire to be more connectional with their students, while not letting the technology get in the way.
Technology can be fancy and complex like a gourmet cheese soufflé or simple comfort food like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In this case, the technology solution simply afforded the students and teachers to physically stand together as they delved into the course material. Simple, effective and now that I have finished my PBJ lunch, just what I needed.
This project looked at how technology could be leveraged to “free” the professors from behind the lectern to walk around the room and engage with their students. In both classes, Keynote was the presentation tool of choice. Keynote Remote app was the tech tool we found that was simple to use and allowed the professors to leave their laptop behind and roam the class with only their iPad mini and or iPhone in their hands. This solution required minimal one time set up on the first use, but then was all ready to go each class period. Professors were able to view their notes from a presenter view and control the advancing of slides as well as navigate to websites or other resources as questions came up from the class. Their use of presentation technology did not have to be lessened and as a result, both students and teacher were able to enjoy more of a two way discussion than a static one way presentation.
I feel that in our early years of schooling, the teacher is able to come to our desk to help or talk about a specific question. As we progress through the grades, personal connection seems to lesson to some degree except in some science or PE classes. The straight lecture format has it’s place in some classrooms and courses, but as learners, we crave a certain level of connection with our instructors who can address some individual question or concern. This project was born out of the professors’ desire to be more connectional with their students, while not letting the technology get in the way.
Technology can be fancy and complex like a gourmet cheese soufflé or simple comfort food like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In this case, the technology solution simply afforded the students and teachers to physically stand together as they delved into the course material. Simple, effective and now that I have finished my PBJ lunch, just what I needed.