Learning in authentic context with technology support

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A special program called Arctic Transect 2004 allowed students in remote classrooms to follow the progress of an arctic expedition in real time while they consulted with expedition members via satellite video feeds, had online chats with academic experts and used customized course materials. The project summary lists benefits of this technology-enhanced teaching strategy as:

  • increased motivation and deeper engagement with learning through use of multiple types of media

  • online dialogue and collaboration with content experts

  • inquiry-based learning with authentic real-time content

The full article, Adventure Learning: Situating Learning in an Authentic Context, by Aaron Doering is available on line in the August/September 2007 issue of Innovate, an open access, refereed, e-journal, focusing on using information technology tools to enhance education published as a public service by the Fischler School of Education and Human Services at Nova Southeastern University.

Although this article focuses on K-12 education, it seems that many of the strategies might be adapted to university education. What do you think?