Innovative technologies

Members of the TEL team in Education Enhancement maintain an active interest in the increasing sophisticated range of mobile devices available to students. We are always investigating ways these devices can be used to support learning.

For example, nearly every student carries a mobile phone and, whilst their use is not generally permitted in lecture theatres or teaching sessions, the devices can be used to enhance and support learning. PDAs, wireless laptops and even portable computer games platforms and MP3 players can be used to extend the learning environment and engage students in self-directed exploratory learning activities. Students can use their mobile devices to access and interact with the VLE, review podcasts, view video tutorials and listen to feedback on their work.

Our unit also promotes the use of new technolgical devices within lecture theatres and other teaching spaces. An example is the TurningPoint audience response system that brings interactivity to PowerPoint presentations. The system enables students who have been issued with an electronic voting clicker to select options which might, for example, be suggested answers to questions posed by the lecturer. The results of the poll are immediately displayed within the PowerPoint presentation in the form of graphs and pie charts. The clickers have a range of about 60m and so can be used in any size of room including large lecture theatres.

Using tecnology in lectures is the topic of a You Teach session run by EE staff for staff.

If you would like to discuss using any these facilities in your practice, please contact the e-Learning team who will be pleased to demonstrate and develop their use with you