This new Learning Technology Handbook by Daniel Scott is a clear, practical and honest guide for teachers, trainers and assessors which places learners firmly at the heart of its approach.<\/p>\n
Divided up into six chapters, this handbook starts by explaining why the effective use of information learning technology (ILT) and eLearning is important, particularly in the FE context and then moves to show you practical strategies for planning, preparing and managing all aspects of using technology for learning, teaching and assessment.<\/p>\n
From the outset, the book tackles three very important challenges. First, the use of terms specifically relevant to its context and clear explanations of their meaning is precise and considered and will hopefully help to engage its intended audience of FE teachers and assessors. It reads like a book that is written by someone who really understands the challenges that FE teachers face whilst being relevant and useful for professionals from other education sectors, too. Secondly, starting in the foreword by Geoff Rebbeck and continuing in the section on \u2018How to use this book\u2019 there is a frank acknowledgement of how fast the pace of technological innovation and change can feel and how hard it is to keep up with it (there is a chapter dedicated to keeping up to date and developing your practice). Thirdly, and most importantly, the book puts the existing competency and expertise of practitioners at the heart of using Learning Technology in FE, Rebbeck writes:<\/p>\n
\u2018Good ILT design requires three things: know your subject, how how to teach and draw these two together through digital technology. The good news is that every teacher is two-thirds of the way there. Our glasses on this topic are already two-thirds full.\u2019<\/p>\n
The main part of the handbook is divided up into six chapters:<\/p>\n
Each chapter includes the kind of content you may expect, but also very active elements including reflective and practical tasks that prompt the reader to reflect on their own practice, for example this reflective prompt in Chapter 1: \u2018Review the attributes of the digital practitioner. Which attributes to you feel you possess? Are there any that you need to explore further?…\u2019 or this practical exercise in Chapter 4: \u2018Which of the eAssessment tools listed below do you have access to and could explore further in your practice?\u2019.<\/p>\n
Through the use of tables and the inclusion of many references and links to further reading, the handbook reads like a well-structured and rich guide that I can easily see being put into practice by many. It feels like having a trusted friend or colleague sitting next to you, showing you how to proceed, what to think about and importantly what questions to ask.<\/p>\n
Chapter 5, which focuses on evaluation, is not as expansive as some of the others, but does cover the most important approaches to evaluation, the importance of feedback from learners and explores some of the ways in which impact can be measured and evaluated. It helps ensure that this handbook doesn\u2019t simply help its readers find answers or solutions but builds on an element of critical reflection that is present throughout all the chapters.<\/p>\n
This Learning Technology Handbook is a rich resource for anyone looking to improve their practice and its content is well-researched. The passion Daniel Scott has for his subject clearly comes across as does his strong expertise and practical know-how – giving his readers a real sense of how achievable and important it is to use learning technology for the benefit of all learners.<\/p>\n
In my view the FE sector has been waiting for this handbook, written by one of its leading practitioners, speaking its language and providing practical examples to address everything from assessment and different learning contexts whilst not shying away from tackling important contextual issues like lack of confidence, patchy infrastructure, fundings cuts or policy changes. This book has the potential to help anyone in FE succeed making effective use of Learning Technology and that is a real achievement.<\/p>\n
Learning Technology – A Handbook for FE Teachers and Assessors by Daniel Scott is now available here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Interview with Maren about the book:<\/p>\n