Task 5. Educational Technology Foundations

Part 1. Meaningful Learning with Technology

1) (Video) Characteristics of Meaningful Learning 

This activity is to help you understand the initial section of the "Meaningful Learning with Technology" chapter that you will be reading soon. This video will briefly summarize the key characteristics of meaningful learning. What you will do is watch the video (less than 5 minutes long) and complete simple quizzes. 

[ Instructions ] 

1. Click this link or the thumbnail below, and a pop-up window will open.

2. If prompted, please enter your full name in the "Nickname" field again. 

3. Watch the video and answer questions.

4. The submit button will be enabled once you have watched the full video - submit your responses.

2) (Reading) Howland, J., & Jonassen, D. (2012). Meaningful learning with technology (4th ed., pp. 2–8). Boston: Pearson. 

Please download the PDF using this link and read pages 2-8 (until "How Technologies Foster Learning"). It explains several roles technology plays in creating meaningful learning experiences in learning environments. Making detailed notes this time will be very helpful for the upcoming units (as well as the quiz activity in Part 3)! 

As an educator and a lifelong learner, this quote from the chapter is incredibly meaningful to me, and I try to use it as a guide in all of the courses I teach:

"In order for students to learn meaningfully, they must be willfully engaged in a meaningful task. In order for meaningful learning to occur, the task that students pursue should engage active, constructive, intentional, authentic, and cooperative activities. Rather than testing inert knowledge, schools should help students to learn how to recognize and solve problems, comprehend new phenomena, construct mental models of those phenomena, and, given a new situation, set goals and regulate their own learning (learn how to learn)."

Part 3. Take a comprehension quiz 

Well done! You've gained foundational knowledge about educational technology by learning about what meaningful learning is with technology, how to effectively integrate technology using the TPACK model, and the ISTE standards. Now it's time to check your comprehension.

• • Go to this quiz link. 

  • Take the quiz and get 11 points or higher for full credit. You can take the quiz as many times as you want. 

Part 4. Roundtable Reflection

1. Visit our online roundtable session:

   • Class A: https://go.parlayideas.com?invite_code=qsF7tIuuM 

   • Class B: https://go.parlayideas.com?invite_code=hRDde18R8 

2. Choose "Continue with Microsoft." Use your UGA email and password to log in.   

3. Create an account as a student. Roundtable code will be automatically entered.

   • If not, enter the code manually (Class A: qsF7tIuuM, Class B: hRDde18R8)

4. Share your reflection. Write at least a paragraph for each question (in total, two paragraphs & two questions).

   • 1. Which reading/video was most meaningful to you, and why?

   • 2. What concept was new to you? What personal experience have you had that helped you understand?

   • 3. Share 2 questions that can make your classmates think deeply about the topic. You can also share something that you didn't understand fully if you have any.

5. Post thoughtful comments to 2 or more classmates. You need to include your answers to classmates' questions.

   • • Please spread the wealth; if you notice a classmate who has not yet received a comment on their post, consider posting one first. 

     • A friendly reminder: Interacting actively with your peers counts for a participation score (5% of the total grade).