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Introducing Mobile Technology with Infant Care Simulators

In today’s classrooms, mobile technology is transforming hands-on learning experiences. In high school Child Development courses, students often struggle to accurately track their overnight caregiving tasks while using infant care simulators. Traditional paper logs can be inefficient, leading to lost records and incomplete reflections on their caregiving decisions.

By integrating mobile tracking apps such as Baby Tracker, What to Expect, and Huckleberry, students can log feedings, diaper changes, and sleep patterns in real time. This not only helps them stay organized but also promotes autonomy, adaptability, and self-reflection, all essential skills for success in hands-on learning environments!

In my Mobile Technologies Implementation Plan, I outline how these digital tools can improve student accountability, teacher feedback, and overall learning outcomes in the infant care simulation project. From administrative approval to practical classroom integration, this plan ensures that technology enhances, rather than replaces, meaningful learning experiences.

To learn more about how I would introduce mobile apps, how this approach can empower students, and bring child development education into the digital age, read my plan below!

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Bringing Learning to Life with Immersive Technology

Imagine strolling through a bustling New Orleans market, the scent of fresh beignets in the air while a jazz musician plays nearby. Or picture yourself practicing baby care—not with a plastic doll, but with a virtual infant that reacts to your touch. These aren’t just futuristic ideas; they’re real ways immersive learning is transforming education, making lessons more engaging, hands-on, and meaningful.

Technology like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D simulations offer exciting opportunities to enhance learning, but they need to be designed with purpose. That’s why I created a checklist for immersive learning design. This guide will help make sure these experiences are effective, engaging, and actually help students learn. Here are the key points:

Set Clear Learning Goals: Every immersive activity should be tied to a specific objective so students gain practical skills and knowledge.

Manage Cognitive Load: Too much information at once can be overwhelming. Breaking concepts into steps helps students absorb material effectively.

Keep Learners Engaged: The best learning happens when students are actively participating. Adding storytelling, problem-solving, and challenges keeps them motivated.

Make the Experience User-Friendly: If students struggle with the technology itself, they’ll lose focus on the lesson. Simple navigation is key.

Encourage Collaboration: Learning is often more effective when students work together. Group tasks and multiplayer simulations help develop teamwork skills.

Provide Feedback & Assessment: Immediate feedback helps students improve. Whether it’s a quiz, a reflection, or real-time corrections in a simulation, it makes a big difference.

Test & Improve: Technology is always evolving, so gathering student feedback and making adjustments ensures the experience stays relevant and effective.

How This Works in the Classroom

VR Food Culture Tour: Instead of just reading about regional cuisine, students can put on a VR headset and explore food markets across the country. They’ll see vendors preparing dishes, check out local ingredients, and hear the sounds of the market, making the learning experience much more immersive.

AR Baby Care Simulation: Taking care of an infant is a skill that requires practice, but not everyone has access to a real newborn. With AR, students can use an app to feed, swaddle, and soothe a virtual baby that responds to their actions. If they do something incorrectly, they’ll get instant feedback to help them improve.

3D Cooking Lab: Cooking requires precision and multitasking, but practicing in a real kitchen can lead to wasted ingredients. In a 3D simulation, students can chop, measure, and follow a recipe in a virtual kitchen before attempting the real thing.

By using immersive learning thoughtfully, we can create lessons that engage students, build real-world skills, and make learning more memorable. Whether it’s exploring food culture, practicing baby care, or refining cooking techniques, these tools bring education to life in exciting new ways!

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Growing My PLN as a FACS Teacher

As a Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher, I’m always looking for ways to improve my teaching and keep up with the latest trends in culinary arts and child development. One of the best ways to do that would be to build a strong Professional Learning Network (PLN).

A PLN is basically a way for the community of educators, industry professionals, and experts to share ideas, resources, and best practices. By staying connected through social media, online groups, and professional organizations, I can bring fresh ideas into my classroom and keep learning right alongside my students.

Where I’m Already Connected

Right now, I use a mix of social media, messaging apps, and podcasts to stay engaged with other educators:

Instagram & TikTok: Great for quick inspiration, teaching hacks, and seeing what other educators are doing.

Facebook Groups: I’m in a few FACS and culinary teacher groups where we swap lesson ideas and best practices.

Pinterest: My go-to for creative projects, classroom resources, and recipe inspiration.

GroupMe & Snapchat: Useful for staying connected with colleagues and FCCLA groups.

Audiobooks & Podcasts: I love listening to education-related content to get new insights on instructional strategies and trends.

All of these platforms help me stay connected, inspired, and up to date, but I know there’s always room to grow.

How I’m Expanding My PLN

I’m planning to join three new professional communities that focus on FACS education and instructional strategies:

ACTE Family and Consumer Sciences Division: A great place to learn about trends in career and technical education (CTE) and connect with other FACS teachers.

Culinary Educators Network (Facebook Group): A space where culinary teachers share lesson plans, classroom experiences, and advice.

Edutopia Teaching Strategies Blog & Community: A resource packed with ideas for student engagement, project-based learning, and instructional strategies.

By joining these groups, I’ll have even more opportunities to collaborate with educators, learn new teaching methods, and stay ahead of industry trends.

Why Having a PLN is Vital in Education

Having a strong PLN isn’t just about networking, it’s about becoming a better teacher. Here are a few ways it helps:

New Ideas & Inspiration: Seeing what other educators are doing helps me bring fresh, engaging lessons to my students.

Professional Development: Webinars, discussions, and shared resources help me keep learning.

Collaboration & Support: It’s great to bounce ideas off other teachers and get advice from those who’ve been there.

Staying Current: Education and culinary trends are always evolving, and a PLN helps me keep up.

As Oddone, Hughes, and Lupton (2019) point out, a PLN is like a customized learning experience, allowing educators to grow at their own pace and focus on what matters most to them.

Final Thoughts

Building a PLN isn’t just something I “should” do—it’s something I love doing. Connecting with other educators makes teaching more fun, more effective, and more rewarding. Whether it’s through social media, online communities, or professional organizations, having a PLN helps me stay inspired and bring my best to the classroom.

References

Goria, C., Kostantinidiss, A., Kilvinski, B., & Dogan, B. E. (2019). Personal learning environments and personal learning networks for language teachers' professional development. Research-publishing.net, 87–99.Oddone, K., Hughes, H., & Lupton, M. (2019).

Teachers as connected professionals: A model to support professional learning through personal learning networks. International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning, 20(3), 102–120. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v20i4.4082

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Microlearning in Education

Understanding Microlearning in Workplace Training

Microlearning delivers content in small, focused bursts, making it efficient and accessible for learners to absorb and apply information quickly. Javorcik and Polasek (2019) highlight microlearning effectiveness in helping learners retain and apply knowledge, making it ideal for skill-building in educational and professional settings.

My Microlearning Assignment on Group Work

In my microlearning training, aimed for high schoolers, on effective work in groups, I broke down the importance of effective group work and key collaboration techniques into bite-sized segments. Instead of a lengthy lecture, I created a short segment on effective communication techniques followed by a quick interactive exercise involving reflecting on a time group communication went awry and strategies to help. This approach aligns with Gherman, Turcu, and Turcu's (2022) findings that microlearning adapts to individual needs, ensuring content is engaging and flexible.

By using microlearning, students can practice real-world skills like active listening, role delegation, and conflict resolution without feeling overwhelmed. It allows learners to learn and relearn concepts as needed, supporting various learning styles and paces.

Resources & References

Gherman, O., Turcu, C. E., & Turcu, C. O. (2022). An approach to adaptive microlearning in higher education. International Technology, Education and Development Conference Online.

Javorcik, T., & Polasek, R. (2019). Practical application of microlearning in education of future teachers. Proceedings of the European Conference on E-Learning, 254–259. https://doi.org/10.34190/EEL.19.031

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Blogging as a Tool for Expanding Learning and Engagement

Incorporating blogging into the learning environment enhances student engagement, reflection, and critical thinking. Blogs provide a platform for learners to articulate their thoughts, analyze course material, and engage in meaningful discussions beyond the classroom. Through blogging, students develop digital literacy skills, improve writing proficiency, and cultivate a habit of continuous learning (Richardson, 2017).

One significant advantage of blogging is its ability to foster collaboration and peer interaction. When students read and comment on each other’s posts, they gain exposure to diverse perspectives and engage in constructive dialogue. This interaction strengthens their ability to communicate ideas effectively and critically evaluate information. Additionally, blogging encourages students to connect course concepts with real-world applications, deepening their understanding of the subject matter. Research has shown that students perceive blogging as an effective tool for knowledge-sharing, which allows them to process and retain information while actively participating in their learning communities (Abdul Kadir & Tasir, 2020).

From an instructional design perspective, blogging aligns with modern design trends that emphasize learner engagement, digital collaboration, and personalized learning experiences (Mery, 2022). Integrating multimedia elements such as images, videos, and hyperlinks further enriches the learning experience and makes content more engaging and interactive.

To maximize the effectiveness of blogging in education, instructors should provide clear guidelines, encourage thoughtful discussions, and integrate reflective prompts. By doing so, educators create a dynamic learning environment where students actively contribute to knowledge construction.

Online Resources for Further Exploration

Edublogs: A Guide to Student Blogging This resource provides a comprehensive overview of how educators can implement blogging in the classroom, including best practices, student safety tips, and content creation strategies. https://www.theedublogger.com/

Common Sense Education: Blogging in the Classroom Common Sense Education offers insights into the benefits of student blogging, tools for getting started, and examples of how blogging can be used to enhance learning. https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/blogging-in-the-classroom

References

Abdul Kadir, N. I., & Tasir, Z. (2020). Students' perceptions and information-sharing patterns in learning authoring system course through blogging. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(19), 187–199. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i19.10950

Mery, Y. (2022). Chapter 1: Design trends and approaches. Library Technology Reports, 58(5), 5–9. https://discovery.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=9253bad4-858e-3d3a-8165-68c58b271e0c

Richardson, W. (2017). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (4th ed.). Corwin Press.

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The purpose of Jill-ustrated Learning is to dive into emerging trends in instructional design and explore their real-world impact on education. Each week, I’ll reflect on new ideas, technologies, and strategies that enhance learning, making education more interactive, accessible, and meaningful for students and educators alike.

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Welcome!

Welcome to Jill-ustrated Learning! This blog is where I explore the latest trends in instructional design and how they impact teaching and learning. From innovative EdTech tools to research-backed strategies, I’ll be sharing insights, reflections, and practical applications to create more engaging and effective learning experiences.