Peer Genius Bar: Using the Wisdom of the Crowd to Learn Technology Tools

Abstract

Teaching technology when technology moves at the speed of light can be a challenging task. In addition to the fast-paced changes in this field, students possess a range of skills, experiences, and attitudes about technology such that there is no common baseline for content and activities. This article reflects on a technology-related crowdsourcing exercise implemented in a graduate professional course. The collaborative learning exercise fosters autonomy and peer-to-peer learning and has resulted in the exploration of more technology tools than could be shared by one instructor.

Keywords:

• Collaborative learning
• crowdsourcing
• graduate studies
• peer-to-peer learning
• technology

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest in the publication of this work.

Human subjects statement

Analysis and use of the student coursework described in this article were approved by the author’s Institutional Review Board (UMCIRB 20-001283). As the coursework was considered archival, the Institutional Review Board waived the requirement for consent.

Notes

1 A makerspace (sometimes called maker space) is a communal, public, often free space or facility with technology equipment available for one to work (individually or collaboratively) on small personal projects. Makerspaces may include 3D printers, die cut machines, sewing machines, and laser cutters.