The use of GoSoapBox for teaching and learning

Abstract

The complexity of relationships between teaching and learning practices is increasing as we rethink higher education in the age of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The availabilities and capabilities of ICT tools enable us to explore the process of teaching and learning in a more unconventional manner. This paper seeks to share an online ICT tool, GoSoapBox, that comprises three key pedagogical ideas in teaching and learning: student interaction (via Discussion), student engagement (via Quiz), and student evaluation (via Poll). While the emphasis is not on advocating the ICT product, the recognition of the affordances of this suggested tool is significant in ensuring the pedagogical ideas could be achieved. Apart from the fundamental benefits that GoSoapBox could offer, the paper also outlines innovative ideas that could advance the process of teaching and learning by adopting the proposed tool in the classroom, including the positive sharing from the academics who had used this tool before, as well as the limitations of the tool which need to be aware of when using it for academic purposes. The paper concludes that constant analysis of practices drives the improvement of teaching and learning processes, with the possibility of incorporating a suitable ICT tool to make this process more efficient and effective.