iPadagogy, Heutagogy, and 3D learning environments

The iPadagogy wheel

I'm a tech gearhead; always have been; always will be. Technology is what got me into the ed tech field over 16 years ago, and its effective use for teaching and learning is what continues to fuel my passion. That's why it's always a treat to attend pre-conference workshops hosted by the University of Illinois-Springfield and their Center for Online Learning, Research and Service. And their workshop titled Emerging Technologies for Enhancing Online Learner Engagement did not disappoint.

QR to session resources

The workshop was held in conjunction with the 2015 U. Wisconsin Distance Teaching and Learning conference in Madison and was focused on demos of the latest tools and techniques for enhancing engagement and improving learning. The session began with an introduction of the ipadagogy wheel, which takes the cognitive domain of Bloom's taxonomy and suggests apps that focus on each of the six areas. Also discussed was the little-known (for me, anyway) term of heutagogy, which is the study of self-determined learning. Heutagogy takes the concept of andragogy one step further by making learning student-centric rather than instructor or curriculum-centric.

Featured technologies

There were a number of technologies focused on 3D imaging. COLRS research indicates a significant movement towards 3D environments and immersive learning experiences. Examples of 3D cameras included the Ricoh Theta and VSN Mobil V360. Both cameras are capable of 360 degree still or video recording. And I'm talking both up/down as well as left/right panoramas. 360 apps were also demoed including PhotoSphere, available for free for both Android and iOS. Several Google Cardboards were handed out as door prizes.

Heads up

Presenters shared a couple of tidbits. The first is that the Flash platform is fading into the sunset. Adobe's well-used and much-maligned web app will no longer be supported by Adobe and should be avoided.

And totally unrelated to Flash but also mentioned was the Apple smart watch and the ease by which smart watch wearers can cheat on multiple choice exams. Instructors beware and move away from MC exams except for quick comprehension checks.

And finally...

Presenters summed up by stating that if a new app is based on a good idea but seems clunky or buggy, give it a few development iterations before dismissing completely. It may take developers awhile to work the bugs out of an otherwise great app.

Thanks once again to Ray Schroeder and his awesome crew. I've followed Ray's work for a number of years and always learn something new. Hat's off to the staff of COLRS for another entertaining and informative session.