This book covers a broad range of innovations in education, such as flipped classrooms, the educational use of social media, mobile learning, educational resources and massive open online courses, as well as theoretical discussions and practical applications in the use of augmented reality and educational technology to improve student engagement and pave the way for students¿ future studies and careers. The case studies and practical applications presented here illustrate the effectiveness of new modes of education in which the latest technologies and innovations are widely used in the global context. Accordingly, the book can help develop readers¿ awareness of the potential these innovations hold, thus expanding their expertise and stimulating critical thinking as to how new technologies have made learning and teaching easier in various educational settings.

Showcases a diverse range of unique experiences and perspectives on highly effective educational modes

Open/flexible curriculum and pedagogy.- 1 Revisiting the definitions and implementation of flexible learning.- 2 Planning for better instruction: Learner interviews for flexible education in a Japanese tertiary curriculum.- 3 Budgetary planning for self-financing open and flexible education.- 4 A needs assessment study to support academic research: The experiences of the Open University of Hong Kong.- 5 In search of an effective model of 'Flipped classroom' in Japan.- 6 Open and distance learning in Asia: Status and strengths.- 7 Embedding MOOCs in academic programmes as a part of curriculum transformation: A pilot case study.- Mobile and ubiquitous learning.- 8 Using mobile and flexible technologies to enhance workplace learning in vocational education and training (VET).- 9 Preference and readiness of nursing students for mobile learning.- 10 Mobile learning support to distance learners: Using WhatsApp Messenger.- 11 Designing smart apps to enhance learners' engagement in online learning.- 12 The impact of mobile technology on the learning of management science, and the development of problem-solving skills.- Digitised media and open educational resources.- 13 An explorative study on the pedagogical potential of gamification.- 14 A comparative study of the teaching effect of 'flipped' MOOC class and conventional class.- 15 Formative evaluation of Hong Kong's first open textbooks.- 16 How to incorporate Open Educational Resources (OER) into the infrastructure and pedagogy for promoting ubiquitous learning.- 17 Using videos in blended learning: Pitfalls and success factors.- 18 Factors affecting media literacy of young students.- Tracking and analysis of student learning.- 19 Instruction in college physics experiments in the context of big data.- 20 A study of the relationship between Instant Messaging communication and student assessment results.- 21 using the xAPI to track learning.- 22 Modelling the process of learning analytics using a reinforcement learning framework.- 23 A study of high school students doing physics experiments with Arduino and other data logging devices.