14
April
2016
|
15:53
Asia/Singapore

Enhance learning through technology

Technology-enhanced learning is fast gaining momentum among educational institutions the world over. At the second meeting and symposium of the Global Learning Council (GLC), some 150 global leaders from academia, industry, government and for-profit sectors participated in a vibrant discussion on important issues surrounding its development and implementation. The event, themed “Technology-enhanced learning in Asia: Promise and Challenges”, was hosted by NUS from 12 to 13 April at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House.

The Council develops best practices that promote collaboration and encourage individuals and organisations to use technology-enhanced learning (TEL) approaches in order to improve learning outcomes. “It’s only fitting that this meeting takes place in Singapore which, over the last several decades, has become a hub for learners from all over the world,” said Professor Subra Suresh, President of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Chair of GLC.

The programme featured a combination of keynote speakers, interactive question-and-answer sessions via the Pigeonhole Live software and panel discussions. Topics for the panel discussions ranged from best practices in the deployment of TEL tools in higher educational institutions, to the latest trends and cross-cultural considerations when deploying TEL.

Kick-starting the plenary sessions was a dialogue with Dr W Lee Howell, Head of Global Programming and Member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum, on global learning opportunities in this “fourth industrial revolution” — where global society is transformed as technologies become more sophisticated and integrated. “Change happens, but it doesn’t mean we are powerless in the face of it,” said Dr Howell.

Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of Singapore’s Workforce Development Agency, later mentioned during his keynote address that while technology is disrupting learning on an unprecedented level, we must adopt it carefully. “We have witnessed many significant breakthroughs in how technology is being used, but it is clear that not all efforts will succeed. We need to avoid being enamoured with the latest technologies and focus on their purposeful use in learning,” said Mr Ng. He added that this is particularly crucial for Singapore due to its lack of natural resources, which means that “an educated and skilled workforce has become our competitive edge”.

The meeting also presented the official release of the GLC report "Best Practices and Data Sharing in Higher Education" describing the social-technical infrastructure university leaders should build, as well as technology demonstrations by NUS, CMU and other institutions. Among those showcased by NUS was Coursemology, an online learning management system that engages students by turning lessons into games and which has been used by over 200 educators worldwide to run more than 280 courses ranging from Computer Programming to Literature. There was also a demonstration on a collaborative project between NUS and CMU which made use of Oculus Rift — a virtual reality 3-D headset — for students to better visualise medical concepts and learn empathy by “looking through the eyes” of the patient.

“It is a great honour for NUS to host the second GLC Symposium. We benefitted from the participation of a very diverse audience, which included academic leaders from several Asian universities. As a result, we had excellent discussions on key global trends that substantially impact higher education, as well as gained useful insights on issues that are of interest and relevance to Asia,” said NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan.