HILT 2016 Conference: Morning plenary

TL;DR

Interactivity is necessary for intentional and purposeful teaching and learning decisions, especially in a complex and uncertain world.

Transcript

this is the only substantive part of my role today I'm going to be emceeing throughout the day but I want to give you a few framing remarks from my perspective about why interactivity why this theme I want to start with three observations that I don't think any of you will disagree with the first is that a lot of people at Harvard feel time-starved... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The context for teaching and learning has become more complex and uncertain, requiring a more intentional approach.
• 🖤 Challenges in education include the lack of clear evidence for curriculum and pedagogy, the time-consuming nature of innovation, and the pressure to conform to traditional educational norms.
• ❓ Interactivity is necessary for intentionality and purposefulness in teaching and learning decisions.
• 🧑‍🎓 The continuous cycle of improvement in teaching and learning requires interactivity and active engagement between students, teachers, and stakeholders.
• 🥺 Interactivity can lead to more informed decision-making, better learning outcomes, and the exploration of new teaching and learning methodologies.
• 🌐 Global challenges such as population growth, aging populations, and the need for global citizenship skills necessitate the development of innovative educational solutions.
• 🎓 Education innovations, such as offline tablet-based learning and multiple pathways for learning, show potential for leapfrogging progress towards closing the education gap.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is interactivity important in teaching and learning decisions?

Interactivity allows for intentionality and purposefulness in framing and guiding exchanges between students and teachers, leading to more effective learning outcomes.

Q: What are some challenges in education today?

Challenges include the lack of clear evidence for curriculum and pedagogy, the time-consuming nature of innovation, and the pressure to conform to traditional educational norms, which hinder systemic improvement.

Q: How does interactivity contribute to decision-making in teaching and learning?

Interactivity allows for the exploration and exchange of ideas, enabling teachers and students to make informed decisions that positively impact the learning process.

Q: What is the role of interactivity in the continuous cycle of improvement in teaching and learning?

Interactivity allows for the sharing of best practices, feedback, and reflection, which can lead to the refinement and enhancement of teaching and learning methodologies over time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The context for teaching and learning has become more complex and uncertain, requiring a more intentional approach.

• Challenges in education include the lack of clear evidence for curriculum and pedagogy, the time-consuming nature of innovation, and the pressure to conform to traditional educational norms.

• Decision-making in teaching and learning is difficult and consequential, requiring interactivity and continuous improvement.