Building the Better Mouse-trap: Applied Learning Pedagogy in New Media Education Models

Triesta Hall
Department Chair, Full Sail University

With the introduction of the Apple 1-to1 Launchbox to our student population, we jumped at the opportunity to return to the drawing board and reorder our lectures to encourage a newly “wired” classroom. We abandoned the ancient model of design education and felt we were offered an opportunity to finally reach the students in a language they were most comfortable. The new lectures became more interactive and introduced applied learning: gone was the traditional method of the professor being the talking head at the front of the class, and what emerged was the teacher that not only delivered instruction but also encouraged immediate synthesis of the theories and ideas presented through well-planned class exercises and out-of-the-classroom activities.

Common research has shown that students learn in three different manners (aural, visual, or kinetic,) and frequently only two of the three modalities were addressed in a lecture hall. This introduced a disconnect between the lecture and lab that many historically have struggled to remedy. With the application of the class exercises and activities, the outcome was astounding: now student projects are thoughtfully researched and detail-oriented. There is also greater retention of theory as the students move from class to class in their academic career. And ultimately, the student is more prepared to achieve success with these tools in their skillset.