Padlet & QR Codes

Padlet
Many technologies have been developed to encourage learning through collaboration. These technologies include Padlet. Padlet is used for student engagement within the classroom. (Hossain, 2023). This collaborative technology allows anonymous input from classmates. Students are able to provide input without being singled out directly in front of their peers.

Padlet is extremely user friendly and allows for quick access. Along with quick access, Padlet can be accessed from different types of devices such as computer, phone, iPad, etc. Other technologies can be integrated with Padlet. It can also be personalized with different privacy settings. A link to Padlet can be embedded on a course page to easily be found by students or peers (Zhi & Su, 2015).

I have used Padlet in the classroom. Primarily I have used it as a “word-cloud”. I divide students into groups and create topics and subtopics within Padlet. Students are given the task of collaborating with one another without access to their computers or notes.

QR Codes

QR codes are a rapidly increasing technology used for a wide variety of purposes. Many educators are not even aware of the numerous ways to utilize QR codes. QR codes can be used to collect assignments, administer quizzes and exams, share documents, and administer surveys (Bala, Harnal, & Gupta, 2023)

QR codes have encouraged students to remain lifelong learners. They make education easy to share and easy to collaborate with others. QR codes are an easy way to collect data and conduct surveys (Belhan et al., 2023). QR codes can be used to measure student’s confidence on specific topics at the beginning of class and at the end of class.

 

References

Bala, R., Harnal, S., & Gupta, M. (2023). Teachers’ Perception about the Use of QR Code in Education. 2023 Somaiya International Conference on Technology and Information Management (SICTIM), Technology and Information Management (SICTIM), 2023 Somaiya International Conference On, 34–38. https://doi.org/10.1109/SICTIM56495.2023.10104743

Belhan, Z., Yorulmaz, E. T., Kocatepe, V., Uslu, Y., Ocaktan, N., Karatepe, E. E., & Unver, V. (2023). Examination of student opinions on the use of the my mind notes application created using QR code technology in nursing education in clinical practice. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2023.100621

Hossain, M. M. (2023). Using educational technologies (Padlet) for student engagement – reflection from the Australian classroom. International Journal of Information & Learning Technology, 40(5), 541–547. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-04-2022-0094

Zhi, Q., & Su, M. (2015). Enhance Collaborative Learning by Visualizing Process of Knowledge Building with Padlet. 2015 International Conference of Educational Innovation through Technology (EITT), Educational Innovation through Technology (EITT), 2015 International Conference Of, 221–225. https://doi.org/10.1109/EITT.2015.54

Digital Citizenship

 

Digital Security & Password Protectors

Digital security involves the use of software and other applications to protect oneself across the internet (GPB Education, 2021). Digital crimes are committed on the daily. This involves hacking into peoples accounts and using their information to their benefit. It is important for students to recognize the severity of these crimes and to also protect themselves.

First it is important to recognize the process attackers use to acquire personal digital information. Attackers access personal information and sell it to an illegitimate source who then publishes it (Higuero et al., 2009). Password protectors are important to keep personal information secure. This can be personal password protectors or an institutional digital security system.

Alexa

We all know a digital friend in our home or one our phones. Siri, Alexa, and OK Google can be used to filter negativity and false information. Guided artificial intelligence such as Alexa provide a safe space for everyone to express themselves. The filter can eliminate false information or hostile content (The Christian Science Monitor, 2017). In the future, these technologies can be used to filter student content and discussions. Students will need to learn how to communicate and express themselves in a professional manner while recognizing proper digital etiquette.

Overall, it is important to emphasize the importance of digital citizenship, ethics, and netiquette. The world of technology will forever be evolving. It is not going to go aware and students need to learn how to utilize digital technologies. 

GPB Education (2021, July 30). Digital CitizenshipLinks to an external site.. [Video]. Things Explained. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfZN4_gP5kQ

Higuero, M., Unzilla, J., Saiz, P., Jacob, E., Aguado, M., & Goirizelaia, I. (2009). A practical tool for analysis of security in systems for distribution of digital contents based on ‘attack trees.’ 2009 IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting, Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting, 2009. BMSB ’09. IEEE International Symposium On, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISBMSB.2009.5133754

Tools to reshape digital etiquette. (2017, April 2). The Christian Science Monitor.

Open & Distance Education Technologies

 Open & Distance Education Technologies

E-Portfolios

Learning platforms such as e-portfolios have been used in distance education and provide a creative delivery method for instructors and support online students. E-portfolios are created by students showing proof of their work in a digital format. Students’ most significant learning experiences are brought to the forefront of their e-portfolios. This is a learning experience for students but also allows instructors to be able to see the key points students have pulled from the course. Are they learning what they’re supposed to? E-portfolios can be designed to build off of concepts. Student will not be able to move on until they understand the content at present. It also displays their learning in a format to share with others for collaboration (Lazenby, 2022).

E-portfolios are designed to navigate self-directed learning (Modise, 2021). This is often the case with distance education. Online courses often limit access to instructors and classmates for obvious reasons. Higher education is becoming more geared toward active learning and e-portfolios provide just that. Students must complete the activities and engage in the content. They are not in a classroom to rely on other student to answer all the questions. (Modise, 2021).

Kahoot

Kahoot is a learning platform allowing instructors and learners to create content and share with others. This tool allows for fun games, lecture modes, and collaboration. Anyone is able to join a Kahoot if provided the game pin or QR code when it begins. It can be utilized in online settings for easy access for all students. Kahoot is not only designed for a group setting. Kahoot’s can be shared with others. A tracking system can be used as a reward system to boost learner’s confidence. Learners can easily collaborate online to create Kahoot’s together remotely (V.J. et al., 2022). Kumar et al. (2023) conducted a survey showing a positive relationship between Kahoot participation and performance of students.

5, A. V. J., Vick, A., 5, J., Silva, A., 25, A., 7, A. G. F., Grantham, A., 7, F., 10, A. S. J., Steinbrink, A., 10, J., 28, A. B. N., Bray, A., 28, N., Shelly, A., & 22, A. (2022, September 16). What is Kahoot!: How to play kahoot!. Kahoot! https://kahoot.com/what-is-kahoot/

Kumar, K., Raghuwaiya, K., Khan, G., Singh, B., Prasad, J., & Blanco, A. (2023). Kahoot Gamified Technology Use to Assess Student Performance. 2023 IEEE Asia-Pacific Conference on Computer Science and Data Engineering (CSDE), Computer Science and Data Engineering (CSDE), 2023 IEEE Asia-Pacific Conference On, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/CSDE59766.2023.10487717

Lazenby, B. (2022, June 14). EPortfolios: The what, why, and how!. ePortfolios: The What, Why, and How! https://teaching.missouri.edu/blog/eportfolios-what-why-and-how

Modise, M. P. (2021). Postgraduate Students’ Perception of the Use of E-Portfolios as a Teaching Tool to Support Learning in an Open and Distance Education Institution. Journal of Learning for Development, 8(2), 283–297.