Showing papers by "Mike Sharples published in 2016"

The Blockchain and Kudos: A Distributed System for Educational Record, Reputation and Reward

Abstract: The ‘blockchain’ is the core mechanism for the Bitcoin digital payment system. It embraces a set of inter-related technologies: the blockchain itself as a distributed record of digital events, the distributed consensus method to agree whether a new block is legitimate, automated smart contracts, and the data structure associated with each block. We propose a permanent distributed record of intellectual effort and associated reputational reward, based on the blockchain that instantiates and democratises educational reputation beyond the academic community. We are undertaking initial trials of a private blockchain or storing educational records, drawing also on our previous research into reputation management for educational systems.

Innovating Pedagogy 2016: Open University Innovation Report 5

Abstract: This series of reports explores new forms of teaching, learning and assessment for an interactive world, to guide teachers and policy makers in productive innovation. This fifth report proposes ten innovations that are already in currency but have not yet had a profound influence on education. To produce it, a group of academics at the Institute of Educational Technology in The Open University collaborated with researchers from the Learning Sciences Lab in the National Institute of Education, Singapore.

Adaptive and Adaptable Learning

Abstract: This paper presents a computational model for measuring diversity in terms of variety, balance and disparity. This model is informed by the Stirling’s framework for understanding diversity from social science and underpinned by semantic techniques from computer science. A case study in learning is used to illustrate the application of the model. It is driven by the desire to broaden learners’ perspectives in an increasingly diverse and inclusive society. For example, interpreting body language in a job interview may be influenced by the different background of observers. With the explosion of digital objects on social platforms, selecting the appropriate ones for learning can be challenging and time consuming. The case study uses over 2000 annotated comments from 51 YouTube videos on job interviews. Diversity indicators are produced based on the comments for each video, which in turn facilitate the ranking of the videos according to the degree of diversity in the comments for the selected domain.

Waypoints along learning journeys in a mobile world

Abstract: We consider how mobile and ubiquitous technologies support learning journeys with particular reference to significant landmarks that may sustain learning over long periods of time. For most people, educational advancement is largely determined by life stages and professional requirements amounting to educational episodes that have definite end points based on recognized achievements. In addition, events occurring in life and work, as well as personal interests and passions, initiate episodes of learning that may be more open-ended, but could be recognized and rewarded. In this chapter we explore elements of formal and informal learning with special consideration of significant points on a learner’s journey when learning progress may be tracked and encouraged, and outcomes may be noticed, assessed or shared. The context for this is a world in which mobile devices support mobility in all its senses, but where barriers still constrain mobility in practice.

Learning with mobile devices: the changing place and space of distance learners’ study

Abstract: This paper examines the changing study practices of UK distance learning students as they employ, adapt and integrate the use of new portable digital devices such as tablets, e-books and smartphones into their learning. The paper uses data from 1700 students that have been collected in a series of surveys at The Open University by the E-Pedagogies Project between 2012 and 2016. The data cover study habits, patterns of use, study tasks and student experiences of distance learning students, showing how these change over time. Data from open comments provide further insight into how, why and where students are studying, or attempting to study. The evidence paints a nuanced picture where the combination of handheld digital devices being used is in flux, where course learning designs need to allow students more flexibility in study technology and pedagogies, and where the opportunity time for study remains fluid. The insights presented in this paper will be of interest to all those involved in Higher Education and distance learning both.

Digital education: Pedagogy online

Abstract: Mike Sharples weighs up a study on the great migration to digital education, from 'flipped' teaching to MOOCs.

Effective Pedagogy at Scale: Social Learning and Citizen Inquiry

Abstract: For the past four years The Open University has published annual Innovating Pedagogy reports. Our aim has been to shift the focus of horizon scanning for education away from novel technologies towards new forms of teaching, learning and assessment for an interactive world, to guide teachers and policy makers in productive innovation. In the most recent report, from over thirty pedagogies, ranging from bricolage to stealth assessment, we have identified six overarching themes, of scale, connectivity, reflection, extension, embodiment, and personalisation [8]. Delivering education at massive scale has been the headline innovation of the past four years. This success begs the question of "which pedagogies can work successfully at scale?".Sports coaching is an example of teaching that does not scale. It involves monitoring and diagnosis of an individual's performance, based on holistic observation of body movements, followed by personal tutoring and posture adjustments. Any of these elements might be deployed at scale (for example, diagnostic learning analytics [10], or AI-based personal tutoring [4] but in combination they require the physical presence of a human coach.The major xMOOC platforms were initially based on an instructivist pedagogy of a repeated cycle of inform and test. This has the benefit of being relatively impervious to scale. A lecture can be presented to 200 students in a theatre or to 20,000 viewers online with similar impact. Delivered on personal computers, instructivist pedagogy offers elements of personalisation, by providing adaptive feedback on quiz answers and alternative routes through the content.

Editorial: A Message from the Editorial Team and an Introduction to the January-March 2016 Issue

Abstract: • A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.

Future Research Directions for Innovating Pedagogy

Abstract: A series of reports on Innovating Pedagogy were launched in 2012 to look at the trends that show how practitioners may engage in innovation in pedagogy. This paper looks at the latest set of trends, and highlights four 2015 trends that seem particularly rich for researchers to explore in the next five years.

A Challenge to Enhance the System of Education—a Comment from a Researcher Perspective

Abstract: Technology-enhanced learning is a complex dynamic system of technologies and practices, informed by pedagogy. Aspects of this system are very difficult to change because they are bound together in an interlocking set of curricula, standards and examining processes. Thus, an overarching Grand Challenge is for educational institutions to break this deadlock and become learning systems, with educational technology as the mechanism for institutional development as well as for enhancing learning. This creates a productive cycle where analyses of current practices, using learning analytics, inform objectives and strategies that are put into practice through a process of technology-enhanced learning design.