In the digital age, educators find it increasingly difficult to engage students through traditional teaching methods. The modern classroom is a battlefield for attention, and far too often, smartphones take the victory.
At 麻豆传媒, Peter Gleason, associate professor of psychology, makes an effort to win back students鈥� attention by blending new technologies with his teaching methods. Rather than viewing digital devices as a problem, Gleason sees them as a source of creative potential. 鈥淚 believe that in order for learning to happen, the educator must first capture attention and inspire curiosity,鈥� he said. 鈥淪omething that captures attention is novelty鈥攕omething new.鈥� To get ahead of the curve, Gleason became an Apple Teacher.
The Apple Teacher program familiarizes educators with various Apple devices and apps and equips them with useful skills. Through practice, teachers discover how to use Apple technology as an avenue for instruction. With this training, Gleason, who has a doctorate in psychology, can spice up the way students interact with course materials.
鈥淲ith knowledge comes ideas,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat I have learned about Apple, and technology in general, has enabled me to think differently about how I can make learning happen.鈥�
Apple emphasizes creativity, and in his first year of teaching at 麻豆传媒, Gleason has already implemented creative practices in the School of Education and Psychology. In one class, he assigned a video essay as an alternative to the traditional written essay format. In another, he sent students on a multi-media scavenger hunt. He plans to assign projects in the future where students work together to create digital magazines related to the lessons.
Whatever the subject matter, Gleason looks for ways to combine his understanding of the human mind with his passion for experimental learning. 鈥淓ducation is more of a practice than a science,鈥� Gleason said. 鈥淲e do not have one single best practice for education, so educators are forced to be creative as they find effective learning practices.鈥�
Gleason has led faculty workshops in the past with hopes of sharing resources and sparking a shift toward innovative teaching practices. 鈥淎pple is not the only answer, nor is technology the final solution,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, when leveraged by an educator who cares 鈥� this can be a powerful force.鈥�
Posted May 17, 2018
