Abstract
Technology is able to overlap curriculum with learning by providing network resources, connectivity and organization. Learners can choose to move away from tangible learning resources and house them within network or cloud-based applications. The connectivity is a key advantage that provides learners easy access. The technology also allows the learner to organise and accomplish their learning tasks more efficiently. A learner’s digital backpack in the practice of pedagogy is an example of such a concept. A digital backpack is exactly what it sounds like: a virtual bag with an array of digital tools, resources, and instructional materials selected to engage and support learners. This article presents the digital backpack for adult learners. The backpack is anchored on the design concepts and principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an instructional design framework that supports diverse means of knowledge representation to develop learner’s knowledge and understanding.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Center of Applied Special Technology CAST. Universal Design for Learning Guidelines Version 2.0. Wakefield, MA: Author (2011)
Rose, D.H., Meyer, A., Hitchcock, C.: The Universally Designed Classroom: Accessible Curriculum and Digital Technologies. Harvard University Press, Cambridge (2006)
Hoagland, C., Aplyn, E., Rice, M.: The digital backpack: issues in the development and implementation of a digital portfolio. In: Montgomerie, C., Viteli, J. (eds.) Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2001, pp. 759–761. AACE, Chesapeake (2001). http://www.editlib.org/p/8237. Accessed 17 August 2015
Amirian, S.: Digital backpacks: facilitating faculty implementation of technologies for teaching and learning. Comput. Sch. 24, 5–14 (2007)
Millea, J., Green, I., Putland, G.: Emerging technologies: A framework for thinking. Australian Capital Territory Department of Education and Training (2005). Accessed 1 October 2005
Oblinger, D., Oblinger, J.: Is it age or IT: first steps toward understanding the net generation. Educ. Net Gener. 2(1–2), 20 (2005)
Rose, D., Dalton, B.: Learning to read in the digital age. Mind Brain Educ. 3(2), 74–83 (2009). Accessed http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=1751-2271&site=1
Basham, J.D., Meyer, H., Perry, E.: The design and application of the digital backpack. J. Res. Technol. Educ. 42(4), 339–359 (2010)
Center of Applied Special Technology (CAST). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines Version 1.0. Wakefield, MA: Author (2008)
Vygotsky, L.S.: Mind and society: The development of higher mental processes (1978)
Rose, D. H., Gravel, J.W.: Curricular Opportunities in the Digital Age. Students at the Centre Series: Nellie Mae Educational Foundation (2012)
Hitchcock, C., Meyer, A., Rose, D., Jackson, R.: Providing new access to the general curriculum universal design for learning. Counc. Except. Educ. 35(2), 8–17 (2002)
Rose, D.H., Meyer, A.: Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Alexandria (2002)
Rose, D.H., Meyer, A.: A Practical Reader in Universal Design for Learning. Harvard Education Press, Cambridge (2006)
Hu, S., Kuh, G.D.: Being (dis) engaged in educationally purposeful activities: The influences of student and institutional characteristics. Res. High. Educ. 43(5), 555–575 (2002)
Eagleton, M.: Universal design for learning. Research Starters (2008). www.ebscohost.com/uploads/thisTopic-dbTopic-1073.pdf Accessed 17 August 2015
Finn, D.: Principles of adult learning: an ESL context. J. Adult Educ. 40, 34–39 (2011)
Marschall, S., Davis, C.: A Conceptual framework for teaching critical reading to adult college students. Adult Learn. 23(2), 63–68 (2012)
Chong, S.N., Cheah, H.M.: Demographic trends: impact on schools. New Horiz. Educ. 58(1), 1–15 (2010)
Singapore Department of Statistics: Latest Key Indicators (2013). http://www.singstat.gov.sg. Accessed 22 August 2015
Chong, S., Loh, W.M., Babu, M: The Millennial Learner: a new generation of adult learners in higher education. Adv. Sch. Teach. Learn. 2(2) (2015). http://tlc.unisim.edu.sg/research/AdvSoTL-3/pdf/chong_loh_babu.pdf. Accessed 31 August 2015
Gopinathan, S., Lee, M.H.: Challenging and co-opting globalisation: Singapore’s strategies in higher education. J. High. Educ. Policy Manage. 33(3), 287–299 (2011)
MOE (Ministry of Education): Report of the Committee on University Education. Pathways Beyond 2015 (CUEP). Singapore (2012)
SIM (2014). http://www.unisim.edu.sg/about-unisim/Overview/Pages/Facts-Figures.aspx. Accessed 17 August 2015
Reay, D.: Class, authenticity and the transition to higher education for mature students. Sociol. Rev. 50(3), 398–418 (2002)
Merriam, S.B., Brockett, R.G.: The Profession and Practice of Adult Education: An Introduction. Wiley, San Francisco (2007)
Moore, K.: The three-part harmony of adult learning, critical thinking, and decision making. J. Adult Educ. 39(1), 1–10 (2010)
Clemente, K.A.: Experiences of Adult Students in Multi-Generational Community College Classrooms (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Pennsylvania State University, University Park (2010)
Cranton, P.: Teaching for transformation. New Dir. Adult Continuing Educ. 2002(93), 63–72 (2002)
Bash, L.: Adult Learners in the Academy. Anker Publishing Company Inc., Bolton (2003)
Knowles, M.S.: The Modern Practice of Adult Education, vol. 41. Association Press, New York (1970)
Knowles, M.S.: The Adult Learn. A Negl. Species. American Society for Training and Development, Madison (1973)
Knowles, M.S.: Andragogy in Action. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco (1990)
Samaroo, S., Cooper, E., Green, T.: Pedandragogy: A way forward to self-engaged learning. New Horiz. Adult Educ. Hum. Res. Dev. 25(3), 76–90 (2013)
Henschke, J.A.: Considerations regarding the future of andragogy. Adult Learn. 22(1), 34–37 (2011)
Halx, M.D.: Re-conceptualizing college and university teaching through the lens of adult education: regarding undergraduates as adults. Teach. High. Educ. 15(5), 519–530 (2010)
Taylor, B., Kroth, M.: Andragogy’s transition into the future: Meta-analysis of andragogy and its search for a measurable instrument. J. Adult Educ. 38(1), 1–11 (2009)
Cercone, K.: Characteristics of adult learners with implications for online learning design. AACE J. 16(2), 137–159 (2008)
Edyburn, D.L.: Would you recognize universal design for learning if you saw it? Ten propositions for new directions for the second decade of UDL. Learn. Disabil. Q. 33(1), 33–41 (2010)
Sims, R.: Beyond instructional design: making learning design a reality. J. Learn. Des. 1(2), 1–7 (2006)
Garrison, D.R., Kanuka, H.: Blended learning: uncovering its transformative potential in higher education. Internet High. Educ. 7(2), 95–105 (2004)
Matzen, N.J., Edmunds, J.A.: Technology as a catalyst for change: the role of professional development. J. Res. Technol. Educ. 39(4), 417–443 (2007)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Chong, S. (2015). Unpacking the Digital Backpack for the Adult Learner – A Universal Design for Learning Approach. In: Lam, J., Ng, K., Cheung, S., Wong, T., Li, K., Wang, F. (eds) Technology in Education. Technology-Mediated Proactive Learning. ICTE 2015. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 559. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48978-9_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48978-9_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-48977-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-48978-9
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)