Introduction
This Open Textbook is being build as a hub for all educators on the UofL campus and beyond to learn and communicate matters relevant teaching and learning in the digital age.
As the work in progress that it is, you will find new collections of articles, resources and tools every time you come visit.
SOCIETY TODAY: The distinction between ‘digital’ and ‘physical’, between ‘online’ and ‘offline’, once seemingly unambiguous, has begun to blur thanks to the ubiquity of digital experiences that have permeated most aspects of modern life.
POTENTIAL for HIGHER EDUCATION: The convergence of physical and digital present us with the opportunities to walk on new pathways of teaching and learning, where we can build trusting relationships with students and peers, locally and beyond the boundaries of our Southern Albertan vicinity. These trusting connections can be the necessary and constant reminders we will need to critically reflect on the nature and effects of the digital technologies we already use or are intending to employ. If we wish to merge the digital and the physical intentionally, we will need to centre our educational practice on community and collaboration and if we want our classrooms to be truly safe and inclusive spaces, in which we celebrate diversity of viewpoints and approaches, we will need to re-imagine the ways in which that communication and collaboration happens.
A lively and rigorous exchange of our ideas, hesitations, and critical questions will enable us to create meaningful and integrated human experiences, which, in turn, will equip us and our students with the skills to deliberately shape the ‘new world’ ahead of us.
CHALLENGE: The current technological advancements pose major challenges and risks to education and many educators feel a lack in guiding theory or strategies to maneuvre the digital transformation.
SOLUTION: We will need to lead informed debates, in which an understanding of different learning theories and a careful consideration of digital technology can frame our digital educational discussions and practice. These conversations will need to include all levels in order to discuss and define the future direction of digital teaching and learning on our campus to align with the principles of social well-being, civil society and equitable global advancement.
