Learning in a Digitalized Age

All professional learning communities agree that there is added value in utilizing technologies to enhance and facilitate student success. This volume seeks a critical and informed answer to one of the most important educational questions of the day: how successful will learners be in the digital age?Here, writers with real hands-on experience in the field challenge many of the assumptions about teaching and learning in the digital age. It is relevant and important for all those interested and concerned about the kinds of debates, arguments and ideas which are influencing and changing the nature of teaching and learning in the early decades of the 21st century.These contributors, from around the world and across all sections and levels of the educational sector, share their experiences of working with educational technologies, mobile and digital learning in their day-to-day lives in schools, colleges and universities.The main themes, arguments and reflections found highlight the dramatic effects and changes technology is having on the human experience generally and in teaching and learning in particular.The editor: Lawrence Burke is an experienced international educator of 25 years. In the 2011/12 academic year the Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Ain Men’s College awarded him Teacher of the Year.Chapters:Foreword, Andrew CallaghanIntroduction, Lawrence BurkeA plugged in, turned on, totally engaged Model United Nations, Lisa MartinConsiderations on a blended learning project, Patrick Dougherty, Josephine Butler & Greg VrhovrnikDiscussion boards as an extension of student learning, Serge MorissetteDown the rabbit hole: the challenges of blended learning in an adult language program, Tanya TerceroHeretical views from a digitally centric universe, Lawrence BurkeiPad therefore iLearn ? Part 1, Michelle Rogers-Estable & Roudaina HoujeiriPad therefore iLearn? Part 2, Dianne EvansKey challenges in BYOD teaching and learning, Ieda M SantosMusings on technological changes in a teaching and learning environment, Dawn Seddon21st Century Learning from a 3rd Century BC Perspective, Lawrence BurkeReflections around on-demand publishing, Clyde CoreilSocial media as an instructional tool, Yasmine Salah El DinThe educational time machine, Jon Orthmann, Reem Arafat & Nancy FahnestockThe future is now, the future is flat, Julie LindsayThe impact of technology overuse on child sensory development: the role of occupational therapy in promoting balanced technology management, Cris RowanThe need for inclusive accessible technologies for students with disabilities and learning difficulties, Simon HayhoeThoughts of a digital immigrant, Yara AzouqaThrough the looking glass: the transformational nature of digital learning in an EFL context, Yahya Ezza El-Sadig & Khaled AlmudibryWhat the brain says about digitally-driven education, Lawrence BurkeAfterword, Kasim Kasuri