Have you embraced mobile devices to deliver educational information to students?  Here’s why you might want to:

Engaging the active learner by allowing them to use the small screens of their devices to access educational content is a fundamental part of moving toward a more digital native-friendly, technology-driven classroom. But it’s not just about introducing technology for technology’s sake. It’s finding the right tools to motivate and offer students an opportunity to participate in activities that they can connect to. [See article: Are kids really motivated by technology]. For example, if you’re teaching a lesson on earth science find an app that gives you a 3D look at the Solar System. In the coming years, web-based and mobile content will play an increasingly larger role in the classroom. Are you prepared?

Watch: The Voice of the Active Learner

Q: How do you engage today’s active learner?  A: Use an image!

As you prepare to go back to school, we thought we’d share some important data about just how much students retain.  The bad news – it’s just a fraction!  The good news – visual aids can dramatically increase the fraction!  Take a look…

 

How can you use this information? Supplement your teaching to include more images. Pinterest is flooded with great images and infographics. Where do you look for great multi-media? Share your thoughts in the comment section below or click here to learn more about the Active Learner

As Senior Director of Product Management for Learn Course Delivery, Jim Chalex conducts research & guides the development of new capabilities to help instructors, learners, and staff get the most out of their online learning environment.  He specializes in assessment, data visualization, and analytics.

 

Data is in, but you don’t us need to tell you that. It’s evident by the number of infographics that pop up every day presenting data in a compelling way on any number of topics; these past few weeks, it’s been all about which Olympic athletes are getting the most social buzz and how the winningest Olympic nations fare when it comes to education.

But, regardless of the topic, it’s what we do with data that really matters. The same can be said for integrating EdTech into the classroom.

We know that students are already grabbing their education by the reins and looking for ways to personalize every part of their learning process – from where they get content to the tools they use in the classroom – they are in control.

So why shouldn’t we give them the opportunity to evaluate themselves?

In today’s fragile job market and tumultuous economy it’s important for educators to do whatever we can to make sure we are equipping our students with the tools to set them up for success. More and more we’re seeing that employers are looking to social media to identify potential hires – which means that it’s our responsibility to lay the groundwork for a positive professional online presence for our students.

So how do we go about preparing our students to achieve success today?

As one of the leading education technology companies in the world, we strive to help you to address the evolving education needs of today’s students.  Just who are today’s students?

See how many you recognize:

 

 

Movie produced by JESS3

As digital natives become the majority in classrooms and lecture halls, we are at critical turning point in education.  What’s that light around the corner?

A world where everyone in education can access infinite teaching tools, information, and analytics from anywhere at any time.

A world where all kinds of education activities, from discussions to lectures to collaboration, can be done virtually.

A world where all students have numerous choices in subject and method.

Active learners are changing everything for the better. At Blackboard, we are active too—active providers of the technology and proactively connecting folks who support the needs of the active learners  who bring about change.

So, how will you go active?