Abstract:

The MODERN Tool Kit project (www.modern.pm), now well into its second year, aims to enhance digital integration in learning teaching and training for adult learners in VET and HE, with the aim to contribute directly to the professional development of VET teachers and trainers, as well as HE teaching staff.

Specific goals of the project were to research, develop, publish and promote training materials for VET and HE teaching staff, with the aim of:
i) Reveal how to create robust pedagogic strategies and boost learning outcomes through the use of interactive digital technologies, especially those that are student-led and available on mobile/tablets
ii) Showcase the top 20 digital interactive learning resources and provide practical tips and guides on how to use them
iii) Increase the skills and confidence of teachers to begin implementing the resources in their daily teaching.

Previous work summarised the first outcome of the project, which involved researching, identifying, categorising and comparison of over 80 mobile, online and digital resources suitable to be used in a teaching/learning environment. Firstly, a thorough audit was conducted of the existing range of digital resources for learning, including websites, software programmes, apps and all other web 2.0 style resources, available in many different languages. Then these resources were categorised by their applicability to a teaching/learning environment, for example; tools for learning, tools for collaboration, tools for assessment. Finally, we came up with a list of the 25 most promising resources; this work reports on the second outcome of the project: a thorough pedagogic assessment of those tools.

We begin with a description of each of these categories and the rationale for their inclusion, which is available in the first project report. Based on the outcome of the evaluations also included in that report, we set on selecting the best tools for each defined category. This involved a round table session with experts, in which different aspects were discussed.

The focus point was the pedagogic value of the tools and the likelihood of their application teachers, students or institutions. We analysed the strengths and weaknesses of the tools; key indicators contemplated involved popularity of tools, accessibility, price and, for those more intended to the professional market, what their potential could be in teaching environments. The points of view of teachers as well as students were analysed, taking into account especially those end groups at which MODERN is aimed for: VET and HE. Finally, a validation from UPV researchers was requested.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a European-wide study of this nature has been undertaken.

Keywords:

Mobile learning tools, e-learning tools, VET, HE.