Chapter 6: Reflections of the iPEAR Team
Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people.
(Stephenson undated)
Educators often seem lost in technical jargon and the fast pace of changes, whether social, economic, political or technical. Thus, they try to mitigate the distance between theory and praxis, involving students more in the learning process. This process of iPEAR is encapsulated in the motto:
‘Connect people, design technology-enhanced learning (TEL) pedagogy, skills and content will improve‘.
(Themeli, 2023)
We share updated resources by connecting ourselves with mentors, experienced colleagues, researchers, and prominent figures. We have a network of people to construct knowledge and improve competencies. The process could be enhanced with technology and pedagogy to navigate through challenges and pave the way for innovation and creativity.
6.1 Educators’ perspectives on challenges in higher education
Educators in higher education face several challenges that impact their teaching and students’ overall learning experience and well-being that the iPEAR approach can address. Some of the key challenges include:
Evolving Technology: Rapid technological advancements require educators to continuously update their skills and adapt to new teaching methods and tools. Integrating technology effectively into the curriculum can challenge educators with limited experience or resources. Due to the rapid pace of changes, the students and colleagues, as fellow learning travellers, count on each other in class and online to catch up via formal or informal learning approaches.
Student Engagement: With the increased distractions and competing demands on students’ attention, it can be challenging for educators to keep students engaged in the learning process. Finding innovative and interactive teaching methods to capture students’ interest and promote active participation is a constant challenge. If we invite the students to co-create the content and fully involve them in what is most needed, why and for what purposes, learning becomes personally relevant. Visualisation of content and processes is the international language of learning that AR could embrace the mixed reality world where the physical and the virtual meet.
Diverse Student Population: Higher education institutions often have diverse students with varying learning styles, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. Educators need to create inclusive learning environments that cater to all students’ needs, ensuring equitable access to education and support. In doing so, we need to reward a sharing peer culture.
Assessment and Evaluation: Designing fair and practical assessments that accurately measure students’ knowledge and skills can be challenging. Balanci