你為應用科技於教學作好準備了嗎？

自資訊時代興起以來，我們的生活和教育方式產生了巨大的變化。雖然這一代的學生被稱為科技達人，科技亦能夠支援學與教，但在進行技術導向的學習過程時可能會遇到一些挑戰。如何在課堂上有效地使用科技？以下秘訣可供大家參考。

應用科技於教學的好處

各種形式的科技增潤學習已被用作補充和輔助教學活動。科技增潤學習工具，例如小型大規模開放式在線課程、虛擬和擴增實境、翻轉教室和演講錄影，已成為教育界，尤其在職業專才教育，常用的教學方式（Ng & Lam，2018）。毫無疑問，科技令學與教變得更加靈活和互動。技術的應用可以提高學習的投入度和成效，但大前提是必須正確地使用。以下，就讓我們來看看一些教師於教學中選用科技時應注意的事項：

由學習成果開始

你有否試過純粹因為某個應用程式新穎又刺激而應用於課堂上？這個可以理解，但更重要的是先要從學習成果入手，即是當你編排課堂時應先考慮學生在完成學習後的成效。一旦釐定了學習成果，教師便可以有意義和有目的地把科技引入教學活動中。科技是支援學與教的工具，並非學習成果。有時，教師可能會抱著運用了科技就必然能吸引到學生學習的假設，但這並非絕對。當學生發現學習內容與他們息息相關時，他們就自然會投入其中。

讓學生分享他們的習作

自動化呈交習作和無紙化教材既環保又能推動數碼化工作間，但在學與教中，電子技術的功能不應局限於「呈交」習作。例如利用Padlet和Spiral之類的教育科技工具(EdTech tools) ，學生不單可以呈交習作給教師，更可以與真實的受眾分享和展示他們的習作。當學生有機會將他們的作品發布給朋輩或對該主題感興趣的觀眾時，會為他們的創作產生一種著作權，並能提升學生的學習動機。但與此同時，這也引起了人們對安全性以及權限問題的擔憂。在這種情況下，可以考慮使用Clipboard應用程式，它容許用戶發布作品的同時，亦能控制受眾的權限。

21世紀教師的角色

要達到為學生裝備21世紀技能的目標，教師必須相應地調節其教學風格。傳統的課堂教學很難培養批判性思維和解難能力、創造力和想像力、溝通與協作等核心技能。今天的教師是學習的促進者，學習應以學生為中心。我們採用教學策略需能夠為學生提供訓練上述技能的機會。科技的配合可以支援學習，然而學與教成效則取決於教學設計。

總結

為了有效地促進學習，教師必須明瞭在教學中使用科技的目的。此外，教師還應考慮學生的學習經歷及科技的使用如何支援學生參與深度學習。

參考文獻：

Ng, R. Y. K., & Lam, R. Y. S. (2018). Using mobile and flexible technologies to enhance workplace learning in vocational education and training (VET). In Innovations in open and flexible education (pp. 85-95). Springer, Singapore.

Are You Ready to Teach with Technology?

Since the rise of the Information Age, the ways of living and education have dramatically changed. While students today are regarded as technology-savvy and technology has proved to be able to support learning and teaching, there could be some challenges when employing the technology-driven learning process. This article suggests some tips for the successful use of technology in the classroom.  

Advantages of Using Technology in Learning and Teaching

Technology enhanced learning (TEL) in different forms has been adopted as supplementary and complementary learning activities. TEL tools, such as Mini-Massive Open Online Courses (Mini-MOOCs), Virtual and Augmented Reality (VAR), Flipped Classroom and Lecture Capture, have become common means to facilitate learning and teaching in education sectors, especially in VPET (Ng & Lam, 2018). Doubtlessly, technology has transformed learning and teaching into what is more flexible and interactive. The application of technology can improve engagement and effectiveness of learning, if implemented properly. Here are some tips for teachers when selecting and using technology in teaching:

Start with the Learning Outcomes

Have you ever tried to use an application with students simply because it is exciting and new? It is important to start with the learning outcomes, which are what students can do as a result of the learning experience, when you plan a lesson. Once the learning outcomes have clearly been defined, teachers can integrate technology in learning and teaching activities in a meaningful and purposeful way. It is a tool to support learning and teaching, but not the learning outcome. Sometimes teachers may assume that students would be engaged when technology is used, which is not necessarily true. Students would be engaged when they find the learning content relevant. 

Allow Students to Share their Works

Automating assignment submission and making reading materials paperless can help save the environment and promote a more digitalised workplace, but the functions of digital technology in learning and teaching should not be limited to handing in assignments. Many education technology (EdTech) tools, such as Padlet and Spiral, allow students to share and showcase their works with the authentic audience, beyond the teacher. When students have the opportunity to publish their works to their peer, or audience who are interested in the subject, it creates the authorship of their learning tasks and higher motivation to the students. However, it also raises the concerns of whether it is safe and what kinds of permission it requires. In this case, you may consider Clipboard, one of the applications that allows users to publish their works, control the level of access and restrict the audience at the same time. 

Adopt the Role of Teachers in the 21st Century

The targets of equipping students with the 21st Century skills can only be achieved when teachers adapt their teaching style to it. The core skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and imagination, communication and collaboration can hardly be developed with the traditional classroom instructions. Teachers today are facilitators in learning and learning should be student-centred. We need to employ the instructional strategies that provide students with the opportunity to practise the above-mentioned skills. Integrating technology as a vehicle can support learning; whereas, it is the instructional design which is more curial.  

Conclusion

To enhance learning effectively, there must be a clear purpose for the use of technology in the classroom. Teachers should also consider students' learning pathways and how the use of technology would support students' engagement in deep learning. 

Reference:

Ng, R. Y. K., & Lam, R. Y. S. (2018). Using mobile and flexible technologies to enhance workplace learning in vocational education and training (VET). In Innovations in open and flexible education (pp. 85-95). Springer, Singapore.