Technology-enhanced Personalised Learning: Untangling the Evidence

Technology-enhanced personalised learning is not yet common in Germany, which is why we have tasked scientists with summarising the current status of international research on the matter. This study demonstrates the great potential of technology in implementing effective personalised learning. Nevertheless, it has not been assessed yet whether the practical implementation actually works: Even in countries such as the U.S., which lead the way in using techology in classroom settings, hardly any evaluation studies have been done to prove the effectiveness of technology-enhanced personalised learning. In the light of the above, the authors make recommendations for actions to be taken in Germany to make best use of the potential of technology in providing individual support and guidance to students

How to design for persistence and retention in MOOCs?

Design of educational interventions is typically carried out following a design cycle involving phases of investigation, conceptualization, prototyping, implementation, execution and evaluation. This cycle can be applied at different levels of granularity e.g. learning activity, module, course or programme. In this paper we consider an aspect of learner behavior that can be critical to the success of many MOOCs i.e. their persistence to study, and the related theme of learner retention. We reflect on the impact that consideration of these can have on design decisions at different stages in the design cycle with the aim of en-hancing MOOC design in relation to learner persistence and retention, with particular attention to the European context

Scaling up: Achieving a breakthrough in adult learning with technology

The first report commissioned by Ufi Charitable Trust. It investigates opportunities for and barriers to the application of digital technology to adult learning. It focuses on possible ways to transform the UK’s vocational education and training system, identifying three main priorities for funding by the Ufi Charitable Trust: * increasing the capability of those involved in running the vocational learning system * exploiting networks to bring together learners, learning content and learning professionals * harnessing computers to support individualised and differentiated learning

ARE TEACHERS PREPARED TO EMPLOY CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING EFFECTIVELY WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS?

All teachers, regardless of their backgrounds, require appropriate preparation to address the necessities of all students. A significant challenge in preparing teachers is ensuring they are familiar with the unique characteristics of the different group of students in their classrooms. According to New York State of Education (NYSED), the breakdown of ethnic groups’ enrollment is: 17% Black or African American, 27% Hispanic or Latino, 1% American Indian or Alaska native, 10% Asian or native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, 43% White and 2% multiracial (NYSED, 2019). As the number of diverse ethnicities continues to grow, it is left to educators to ensure that all students are given an equal opportunity to get an education (NYSED, 2019). Teacher training must be done in order to understand how to engage all students in the learning process. Teacher education programs throughout the nation have coupled their effort at reform with revised programs committed to social justice and equity (G. Ladson-Billings, 1995). According to the NYSED, the culturally responsive sustaining (CR-S) education framework helps educators create student-centered learning environments that: affirm racial, linguistic and cultural identities; prepare students for rigor and independent learning, develop students’ abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; and empower students as agents of social change (NYSED, 2018). However, there are limited numbers of schools that provide the training and support for culturally relevant teaching (CRT). This research sought to categorize the preparation of teachers and practices that support CR-S education. The findings of this study will guide teachers to understand the impact that culturally responsive teaching (CRT) can have with teaching diverse groups of learners. It will also provide a better understanding of why it is important to implement CRT effectively in the classroom. School administrators must provide professional development, resources, and continuous support in order for teachers to implement CR-S education effectively. Planning and practice cannot happen without the right training and reinforcement from the administration team