Having a pupil raise their hand is sooo last century.

What does it mean to have a pupil raise their hand in a lesson?

• It could mean that the teacher has asked a question and the pupil knows and wants to give the answer (ooh, I know, sir, ask me sir, me, sir, me…),
• it could mean that the pupil has a problem or difficulty and needs to ask a question or clarify something they do not understand or did not hear,
• or it could mean that a pupil needs to leave the room!

In the first two instances, it means that the lesson will have to be halted for a short while. In the first instance, the teacher does not necessarily need to know who does know the answer but who does not know. In the second instance, the teacher has to try to judge whether the pupil’s question will hold back progress of the lesson for the other pupils and whether time spent answering the question would be meaningful or trivial. If the second instance is not handled, then there is the possibility that the pupil may miss out on learning. That may also be the case in the third instance but if the pupil really does need to leave the room then it would probably be best to let them rather than cause an embarrassing incident!

The problem with the above scenario is that it assumes that learning is taking place in a traditional setting. That is to say, in a school room being led by a teacher or lecturer. I’m writing this, however, near the start of the 21st Century and we cannot assume either now or in the future that learning will continue to take place in such a setting. Learning does not take just take place in a school; it takes place at home, while in hospital, when travelling, when excluded, at friends house, and even when you have left the formal education system.

Settings and scenarios may have changed and the learning may occur in different times and places. Learners, however, may still need to ask questions, they may still need to seek clarification and they may still need to leave a room. How can this be done if they cannot raise their hand as they would have done in a traditional setting?

It is clear that educators need to have new ways in which learners can ask questions, seek clarification or pause their learning.

Email or Txt

One method of a learning asking a question might be to txt or email the question to the teacher. I have seen this used but not all teachers are comfortable with pupils having their personal mobile number or personal email address. Similarly, learners might not be keen on a teacher knowing their personal mobile number.

Online Discussion Boards or Forum

Another way might be for the teacher to set up an online discussion board with an area for each subject or topic area; learners could then use this to submit questions or requests for clarification. An advantage here is that it need not be just the teacher who can reply but other learners can also contribute their replies to a learner’s post.

Instant  Messaging

Yet another way might be to employ some form of messaging service, such as Twitter, for the learner to post questions. In some instances, this would allow not only the teacher but also teachers and learners from the same or other institutions providing an answer.

None of the above solutions are particularly ground-breaking, they can all be implemented very simply and require no technological innovation. Each of them, or all of them, could, for example be incorporated into a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) or Learning Platform.

What, though, if the learner needs to pause their learning; not just to pop to the loo but maybe for more serious reasons such as a stay in hospital or time away from the school or the country? Can technology be used to help them pause their learning and then pick up again upon their return? I feel the answer is ‘yes’. If the subject or topic area is adequately supported with document resources, video and audio resources, presentations and creative tasks which can be delivered electronically, then a learner can pause their learning and re-engage at a later time.

Teachers are well used to producing resources to support learning in a classroom and for homework. The only change that needs to happen here is in the nature of the resources (electronic rather than physical) and the way in which they are delivered to the learner.

Any questions? If so don’t raise your hand; email me, tweet me or leave a comment below.

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