{"id":357,"date":"2020-09-26T18:39:39","date_gmt":"2020-09-27T01:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/?p=357"},"modified":"2020-09-26T18:39:39","modified_gmt":"2020-09-27T01:39:39","slug":"class-for-zoom-and-leap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/class-for-zoom-and-leap\/","title":{"rendered":"Class for Zoom and LeaP"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo by Photos Hobby<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n

By\u00a0<\/span>Shelley Dougan<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and Vanessa Tran<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As educators, we are continuously seeking\u00a0<\/span>to refine our teaching<\/span>\u00a0strategies and tools to\u00a0<\/span>enhance student\u2019s engagement with the content<\/span>, create meaningful learning experiences\u00a0<\/span>but<\/span>\u00a0in a sustainable manner.\u00a0<\/span>This has been an ongoing quest since the beginning of most educator\u2019s teaching paths. However, it is now needed more than ever in an online environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Here are two interesting systems<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>claim<\/span>\u00a0to be the solution:\u00a0<\/span>Class for Zoom<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>LeaP<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Class for Zoom<\/strong> has been created\u00a0<\/span>by a\u00a0<\/span>startup<\/span>\u00a0called\u00a0<\/span>ClassEDU<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>ClassEDU<\/span>\u00a0was founded by a\u00a0<\/span>well-known<\/span>\u00a0person i<\/span>n education technology; Michael Chasen, the co<\/span>founder of Blackboard<\/span>\u00a0(<\/span>Schaffhauser, 2020).<\/span> According to\u00a0<\/span>this introductory video<\/span><\/a>, Class for Zoom has been deve<\/span>loped to add\u00a0<\/span>aspects of\u00a0<\/span>the classroom e<\/span>nvironment<\/span>\u00a0to online synchronous learning<\/span>\u00a0via the Zoom platform<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>This product is currently in beta\u00a0<\/span>testing (Class for Zoom, 2020).<\/span>\u00a0According t<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0Chasen,\u00a0<\/span>ClassEDU<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>polled teachers\u00a0<\/span>regarding<\/span>\u00a0what was missing\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>online versus<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>face to face classroom.\u00a0<\/span>This poll<\/span><\/a>\u00a0indicated<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>60% of<\/span>\u00a0\u201c<\/span>t<\/span>he classroom experience\u201d is missing by using Zoom in its current form. Some of these missing experiences include taking attendance<\/span>, handing out assignments, and talking one on one with students<\/span>\u00a0during class<\/span>\u00a0(Class for Zoom, 2020).<\/span> Class for Zoom i<\/span>s\u00a0<\/span>advertised as a product that can apply the main aspects of the classroom to the Zoom platform.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clark and Kozma\u2019s opinion on Class for Zoom<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clark would likely suggest that this product is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>another delivery system; doing the same things online that would be done in class.\u00a0<\/span>Therefore,<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>media changing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>from the\u00a0<\/span>physical\u00a0<\/span>classroom to online via Zoom would not enhance learning.\u00a0<\/span>Most of the features advertised for Class for Zoom seem to be something done in the classroom that has been transferred to an online environment. <\/span>Class for Zoom allows for\u00a0<\/span>more<\/span>\u00a0controversial<\/span>\u00a0(due to privacy)<\/span>\u00a0feature<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>such as<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>losing focus. <\/span><\/a>This feature allows teachers to know if\u00a0<\/span>Z<\/span>oom for\u00a0<\/span>C<\/span>lass is the primary app being used on the students\u2019 computer<\/span>;\u00a0<\/span>assuming, not<\/span>\u00a0necessarily accurately<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0that the student is focused on something else<\/span>. <\/span>This is not really a new<\/span>\u00a0thing as teachers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can recognize disengagement in the<\/span>\u00a0physical<\/span>\u00a0classroom, but\u00a0<\/span>this program does collect more quantifiable data<\/span>. Whether that data should be collected is the subject for another blog post.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kozma<\/span>\u00a0would likely state that Class for Zoom is a missed opportunity to use the specific attributes of what is capable online\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>enhance\u00a0<\/span>learning<\/span>\u00a0as it is his opinion that media will only\u00a0<\/span>enhance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>learning if it is designed\u00a0<\/span>with education<\/span>al<\/span>\u00a0context taken into consideration<\/span>\u00a0(Kozma, 1994 p.<\/span>20)<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Given that this product seems to have been developed as a response<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>education needs for using\u00a0<\/span>Zoom<\/span>, it seems to be a retrofit<\/span> rather than an intentional design.<\/span>\u00a0 Although\u00a0<\/span>the need for this product to bring aspects of the physical classroom online may be<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>understandable due to the quick transition from the <\/span>physical<\/span>\u00a0classroom to online\u00a0<\/span>that has occurred. This product may be helpful<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to familiarize teachers that have only taught face to face<\/span>\u00a0with the online environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brightspace\u00a0LeaP<\/strong>\u00a0is an adaptive learning tool that builds personalized paths to meet individual learning needs (Brightspace\u00a0<\/span>LeaP<\/span>, n.d.)<\/span>, developed by Desire 2 Learn (D2L).<\/span>\u00a0This\u00a0<\/span>promotional video<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>highlights how\u00a0<\/span>LeaP<\/span>\u00a0can provide the\u00a0<\/span>focus, support<\/span>\u00a0for online learners to achieve their individual learning goals and keep learners on track. Additionally, it addresses most educator\u2019s discomfort by stating that \u201c<\/span>LeaP<\/span>\u00a0is not about changing the way learners learn or the way teachers teach, it is about powering content to empower learners\u201d (D2L\u00a0<\/span>LeaP<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 Powering Content. Empowering Learners<\/span>.<\/span><\/i>, 2014)<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The idea of personalized learning experiences has been discussed and tried in the past. In 2011,\u00a0<\/span>Personalized Learning Environment (PLE) made an entrance into the Ed-Tech world but did not gain mainstream adoption (Weller, 2020) as the amount of\u00a0<\/span>preparation<\/span>\u00a0required was not sustainable.\u00a0 With the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Performance add-on package, D2L is advertising to deliver \u201cpowerful analytics tools to help administrators, educators, and learners save quality time and maximizing impact\u201d (<\/span>Brightspace Performance Plus for Higher Education | Learning Analytics Features | Brightspace by D2L<\/span><\/i>, n.d.).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clark and Kozma\u2019s Thoughts on\u00a0LeaP<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clark would most likely think that\u00a0LeaP\u00a0is simply another \u201cmere vehicles to deliver instructions\u201d and replaceable by another tool that can produce similar results. However, he probably would agree that\u00a0LeaP\u00a0draws on psychological and social-psychological research in its instructional design to enhance the learner\u2019s experience and achievement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kozma would possibly agree that\u00a0<\/span>LeaP<\/span>\u00a0is an interactive learning tool as it provides the learner with the ability to \u201cact\u201d or \u201crespond\u201d to the content presented to them. Though, if he were to implement\u00a0<\/span>LeaP<\/span>\u00a0into a Learning Management System (LMS), he most likely would study it in four phases to ensure students would benefit from it: a motivational phase, an instructional design phase, an implementation phase, and a knowledge transfer phase.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is valuable to consider the viewpoints of both Clark and Kozma in the great media debate. Class for Zoom demonstrates that just because a<\/span>n application is using new technology, it may only be a new delivery system and not enhancing learning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>LeaP<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is another adaptive learning tool to engage learners that requires an excellent instructional design, investment of time and money. Will these tools be a success? We invite our readers to discuss in the comment section to share your thoughts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

References:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brightspace\u00a0<\/span><\/i>LeaP<\/span><\/i>. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2020, from\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/documentation.brightspace.com\/EN\/leap\/-\/all\/leap_about.htm<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brightspace Performance Plus for Higher Education | Learning Analytics Features | Brightspace by D2L<\/span><\/i>. (n.d.). D2L. Retrieved September 26, 2020, from\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.d2l.com\/higher-education\/products\/performance\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clark, R. E. (1994).\u00a0<\/span>Media will never influence learning<\/span>.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Educational Technology Research and Development<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>42<\/span>(2), 21-29.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Class for Zoom (2020, September 23).\u00a0<\/span>Introduction to class for zoom.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0[Video]. YouTube.<\/span>\u00a0Retrieved September 25, 2020 from<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/youtu.be\/3_2MVEOlzRs<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

D2L\u00a0<\/span><\/i>LeaP<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u2013 Powering Content. Empowering Learners.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(2014, July 31).\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wYeCjbMCALI<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kozma, R. B. (1994).\u00a0<\/span>Will media influence learning: Reframing the debate<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>Educational Technology Research and Development<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>42<\/span>(2), 7-19.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Schaffhauser, D. (2020, September 23). Class for Zoom Adds Education Interface to Popular Meeting Platform.\u00a0<\/span>The Journal: Transforming Education\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Through Technology.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Retrieved September 25, 2020 from<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>https:\/\/thejournal.com\/articles\/2020\/09\/23\/class-for-zoom-adds-education-interface-to-popular-meeting-platform.aspx<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Weller, M. (2020).\u00a0<\/span>25 Years of Ed Tech<\/span><\/i>. Athabasca University Press.\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15215\/aupress\/9781771993050.01<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Photo by Photos Hobby on Unsplash By\u00a0Shelley Dougan\u00a0and Vanessa Tran\u00a0 As educators, we are continuously seeking\u00a0to refine our teaching\u00a0strategies and tools to\u00a0enhance student\u2019s engagement with the content, create meaningful learning experiences\u00a0but\u00a0in a sustainable manner.\u00a0This has been an ongoing quest since the beginning of most educator\u2019s teaching paths. However, it is now needed more than ever […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":177,"featured_media":360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lrnt523"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/177"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=357"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":362,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions\/362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0160\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}