“It is necessary to enhance the virtual environments we have.”. This is the conviction professor Fábio Luis Kraemer brought back home from Barcelona. In early July, he presented the findings of his research for the Master’s Course in Teaching at the 7 th EduLearn, the International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies. The topic of his presentation was “Discussion forum as a teaching strategy”. Kraemer showed how interaction processes in a Discussion Forum produce collaborative learning. Fábio Kraemer has got an undergraduate degree in Advertising from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, a specialist degree in Brands from Unisc and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Univates. His main focus is the market in classroom.
Based on this view, he has developed this methodology in his classes in the Communications Courses since 2013. “When I came to classroom I realised technology was available to all students, who had grown in this environment where technology was part of their lives. They are what we call the digital natives.” – says he. Between asking them to turn off their mobile phones and computers to carry on with the classes or keep them connected, Kraemer chose the latter. Through the Discussion Forum, it is possible to create a mutual learning process, virtually. “This activity raises students’ interest beyond school timetable.” – says he, according the findings in his Master’s research. In the process, Kraemer found out features to improve the way he works. “The more interaction between the participants, the stronger the chances for collaborative learning. This is related to what French philosopher Pierre Lévy defined as collective intelligence.” – says he.
Back in Brazil, Professor Kraemer is sure teaching methodologies and technology are inseparable. In the beginning, when he created his first forum for the Design Course, he was unsure, but now he has changed his mind, especially after noticing that countries like The Asian Tigers are in the vanguard of technology and education for working this way. The challenge in education is to make technology enhance the virtual environment in classroom. I believe this makes things different for the market.”– says he.
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The 8 th EduLearn was a meeting point for professors, researchers, technologists and education scientists. It took place in Barcelona, Spain, between the 4 th and the 6 th of July and had 700 participants from 70 countries. This year’s topic was “Inspiring learning through technology.”. Researchers presented and shared their projects and knowledge of innovative teaching and learning methodologies. Experts in other areas such as health, mathematical sciences and humanities, also participated in the congress.
Author: Tiago Silva