Digital technologies and the future of universities

Pedagogy at University - Teaching, Learning, Self-

study and Creative Audiences

Neuza Pedro, [email protected], 9-1o january 14

Digital environments and technologies in

elementary and secondary education

+E-learning program of University of Lisbon

#1 The students that are

presently in the classrooms of the elementary and secondary schools are used to learn in a

very different way that todays’ teachers have been used to

teach.

(Prensky, 2001)

Net gener@tion

"There's a new generation around the world that is the first to grow

up digital.’ (Tapscott, 1999)

digital residents / digital visitants

(White & Le Cornu, 2011)

Online environments and

networks support a peace of their

identity.

(Small, 2009)

Kids are better on:

Adults are better on:

. superior cognitive abilities in snap decisions

and juggle multiple sources of inputs.

. Understanding graphic representation (3D)

. multitasking

. Parallel information processing

. Reading facial expressions (interpersonnal face-to-face interactions)

. Reflection (connections, generalization)

. Perform more metodically and preciselly

. Reasoning (not-acting)

#2 An update is needed is

teaching methods in higher education! New learning

theories have emerged. More quality and innovation is

demanded.

Neuropsychophisiology,Artificial intelligence,

Machine learning,Big data Analysis, Synthetic Biology

… all this new fields of sciences provide relevant inputs about Human learning processes.

High-value activities on campus:

Teaching

vs Research & Development

‘ 21stcentury skills ‘

Analysis of 17 competencies frameworks

(Pedro, Matos, Pedro & Abrantes, 2011)

Employability and citizenship

Quantum Mechanics: The Structure Of Atoms

#3 To reflect cultural and

technological shifts new formats of content, courses, degrees and certification should be offered.

#4The higher educational system is

not failing or in need of some renovation.

Universities just need to remember their main role:

. to provide higher education

. to nurture science and make it prosper . and to share the developed and carefully validated knowledge with society in order to promote social growth.

Universities are pedagogical places where innovation can

happen in a low-risk environment.

To learn, in the higher education level, is not about content it’s about learning of

to touch the content.

#5 Universities are part of the higher education system.

Therefore, they should work as actor in this network: articulate

efforts, share problems and co-operate solutions.

Higher education system is also linked with other

systems in an Educational Ecology.

Pedagogy at University - Teaching, Learning, Self-study and Creative

Audiences

Neuza Pedro, [email protected]