Experience Matters - Let’s Not Go Back

Do you remember pre-COVID days where much more was face-to-face and working remotely was a luxury? Fast forward to today and we are going 'back' to classrooms, going 'back' to work, with some people craving for what 'was'. Let's not go back to the way it was, but look at ways in which we can move forward. COVID did something that many people were trying to advocate for years; transform the ways in which we educate. From face to face to wholly online, we witnessed a transformation in how educators perceived the online space. No doubt, it has taken its toll on educators across the sector due to various factors including workload, upskilling, and support or lack thereof. The constant lockdowns and the need to be online ready, have contributed to the transformational shift in the perceived value of online education. From what has previously been perceived as lesser, to becoming equivalent and/or more accessible for some, online education and new ways of interaction can now inform the next generation of online learning.

Challenge is a constant

When speaking to many educators, one consistent message came through; I don't know if I am teaching online or face to face. These delivery methods are not equivalent nor are the same, yet educators were expected to transition the mode of delivery at a drop of a hat. In a profession that is carefully planned, constructively aligned, and learners’ needs planned for, what were we thinking? Well we can't change what has happened but we can look at how we plan for the future - do you plan for online, face to face, or blended?

What experience are you planning for?

I have two young children, one of which is in 3-year-old kindergarten. On the kinder app, the educator recently posted a mind map of what the students wanted to learn about and then the activities that they would do to support them. She has extended this posting pictures with discussion throughout this year so we can continue the discussion at home. I thought - wow. What a personalised experience using the technology so we have an opportunity to engage with our children about what they are learning. These same students go onto the primary, then secondary, and then VET and/or higher education, how can technology support you to enhance these experiences?

Integrating technology

With the move to fully online, there are many different apps that can be used to enhance the teaching and learning experience. It is important to know what you would like to achieve to determine what app is best for you and the experience you are trying to create. How can you continue to leverage its affordances to ensure you create the best learner experience possible?

Paper vs digital notebooks

Digital notebooks are created electronically using a digital device and enable you to create and organise text, images, and multimedia resources in a way that would not be possible with a paper notebook. Unlike the paper notebook, the digital notebook can be accessed from anywhere at any given time and is generally backed up so you don't lose your valuable data. They can be updated and edited quickly and easily with flexible formatting options. This digital notebook can translate into a learner experience where you can use apps like OneNote to share class notebooks, edit and even 'push' out homework all at the click of a button.

Zoom recordings

I have watched more zoom recordings than I care to say in the past two years and I would love to say I watch them, but many I don’t. When considering the online learner experience, it is important to acknowledge how they are consuming information and if the session was interactive 'live' - by having learners 'watch' them later, are they getting an interactive experience also? If you are offering this, consider this at the design stage and how learners who can't access it live will interact with the information.

Opportunity knocks

After attending the Australian Open earlier this year, the capacity was less than half, there were half the stallholders, and the buzz along Birrarung Marr, well, that was nonexistent. The experience of the many years before was not the same, and whilst I was initially deflated, they showed how it could still be great, but different. There were half the stallholders, but I still never had to wait for anything to eat or drink; the tennis itself was amazing, and there was more access to players. I was even lucky enough to meet more players than I ever would have previously. So, when iterating your learner experiences, where are there opportunities, and how can you enhance the experience using what you have learned?