Blended Learning Equipment Staff Guide

What is the ActivTable?

The table allows 6 people to work together in a collaborative manner on group work, problem solving activities and to make decisions together, thus allowing deeper learning to take place then if students worked on their own. It is easy to use with intuitive tools and activities Has reporting tools so tutors can see student contributions Activities can be differentiated for different abilities and learning styles The software can be installed on tutors computers to aid planning and lesson customisation.

Advantages
Easy to set up the ActivTable for use. Loads of curriculum based activities for different levels and subjects Software can be put on staff PCs. Working together has been show to create deeper understanding of a topic, achieving more than working separately and alone. Increases communication between students working together. Higher achievers can scaffold the learning of lower achievers. Encompasses kinaesthetic and visual learning styles. Encourages problem solving skills.

Disadvantages
Large piece of equipment Activities not suitable for all levels of students although more are being developed. May encourage some students to dominate and others to conform leading to loss of self-esteem.

Deb Millar 12 A staff guide to using Blended Learning equipment at Blackburn College & University Centre moodle2.blackburn.ac.uk