Theme 4
Technology and Human Connection
Theme 4 - Sessions
Exploring the Use of Wearable Technology in K-12 Classrooms: A Review of the Literature
Trailer Video + Handout
Session 401 (Thu May 26 - 8pm)
Philip Jovanovic & Dr. Robin Kay
Smartwatches and other miniaturized wearable devices have evolved to capture and analyze body data, such as stress and academic emotions. With this body data, teachers can better understand how their students learn, design more engaging learning environments, promote student health and safety, and create stronger connections in cross-curricular learning. During this session, we will offer a critical review of smart wearable technologies for learning in K-12 classrooms, emphasizing what teachers have experienced in adopting wearable technologies. We will then provide concrete suggestions for using wearable technologies in the classroom.
Examining the Role of Emotions in Learning With Technology
Handout
Session 402 (Thu May 26 - 7pm)
Dr. Robin Kay
This study focuses on the relationship between emotions and learning with technology. Based on the experiences of 220 pre-service teachers, happiness was the emotion most often expressed, followed by anxiety, anger and sadness. Not surprisingly, teachers who had greater technology skills were happier than their less-skilled colleagues who experienced more anxiety, sadness and anger. Interestingly, the choice of learning strategy impacted emotions expressed. For example, experimental and authentic learning strategies and—to a lesser extent—direct instruction led to more positive emotions. By contrast, social learning strategies resulted in higher anxiety. We will speculate on how emotions influence learning with technology and how artificial intelligence could lead to more sophisticated and personalized learning.
"You're toxic, I'm going under": Student Connections via Mental Health on Twitter
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 403 (Tue May 24 - 8pm)
Dr. Sharon Lauricella
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted almost all student life online: students learned, studied, communicated, and participated via online channels (or, at least, they tried to). I will discuss how higher education students expressed their needs, challenges, and experiences during the pandemic via the microblogging site Twitter. Although mental health has always been an important element of the student experience, the pandemic magnified mental health issues due to struggles with emotional, social and physical distance from others, online teaching and learning, health challenges, and financial hardship.
Humanizing Learning Spaces Through Indigenous Open Educational Resources
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 404 (Tue May 24 - 6pm)
Dr. Anna Rodrigues & Dr. Kaitlyn Watson
While indigenous literature in Canada continues to grow in popularity, educators are apprehensive about finding and integrating these resources effectively and appropriately. Open education resources (OERs) may be a promising approach for accessing Indigenous content and humanizing learning spaces. We will discuss how our collaborative approach to developing an OER on the book Moon of the Crusted Snow humanizes learning in the online context by providing an opportunity for educators to decolonize resources in their high schools and post-secondary classrooms.
Trailer Video + Handout
Session 401 (Thu May 26 - 8pm)
Philip Jovanovic & Dr. Robin Kay
Smartwatches and other miniaturized wearable devices have evolved to capture and analyze body data, such as stress and academic emotions. With this body data, teachers can better understand how their students learn, design more engaging learning environments, promote student health and safety, and create stronger connections in cross-curricular learning. During this session, we will offer a critical review of smart wearable technologies for learning in K-12 classrooms, emphasizing what teachers have experienced in adopting wearable technologies. We will then provide concrete suggestions for using wearable technologies in the classroom.
Examining the Role of Emotions in Learning With Technology
Handout
Session 402 (Thu May 26 - 7pm)
Dr. Robin Kay
This study focuses on the relationship between emotions and learning with technology. Based on the experiences of 220 pre-service teachers, happiness was the emotion most often expressed, followed by anxiety, anger and sadness. Not surprisingly, teachers who had greater technology skills were happier than their less-skilled colleagues who experienced more anxiety, sadness and anger. Interestingly, the choice of learning strategy impacted emotions expressed. For example, experimental and authentic learning strategies and—to a lesser extent—direct instruction led to more positive emotions. By contrast, social learning strategies resulted in higher anxiety. We will speculate on how emotions influence learning with technology and how artificial intelligence could lead to more sophisticated and personalized learning.
"You're toxic, I'm going under": Student Connections via Mental Health on Twitter
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 403 (Tue May 24 - 8pm)
Dr. Sharon Lauricella
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted almost all student life online: students learned, studied, communicated, and participated via online channels (or, at least, they tried to). I will discuss how higher education students expressed their needs, challenges, and experiences during the pandemic via the microblogging site Twitter. Although mental health has always been an important element of the student experience, the pandemic magnified mental health issues due to struggles with emotional, social and physical distance from others, online teaching and learning, health challenges, and financial hardship.
Humanizing Learning Spaces Through Indigenous Open Educational Resources
Trailer Video + Handout + Video Presentation
Session 404 (Tue May 24 - 6pm)
Dr. Anna Rodrigues & Dr. Kaitlyn Watson
While indigenous literature in Canada continues to grow in popularity, educators are apprehensive about finding and integrating these resources effectively and appropriately. Open education resources (OERs) may be a promising approach for accessing Indigenous content and humanizing learning spaces. We will discuss how our collaborative approach to developing an OER on the book Moon of the Crusted Snow humanizes learning in the online context by providing an opportunity for educators to decolonize resources in their high schools and post-secondary classrooms.
Other Themes