April 11, 2006
Why and When To Use Technology
Last week I attended the International Forum for Women in eLearning sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association. Carol Daunt, from Australia’s LearnTel Pty Ltd, opened with a workshop titled Dial M for Learning. Her presentation included the following thoughts about choosing technology.....
Having looked at the range of technologies available, we must ask "Why?" Why would you want to use any or all of those available? For one reason only - teaching is about learners. Using a combination of technologies must be for the purpose of improving learning in some way. It must not be because:
* The organization has invested a lot of money in this technology.
* Everyone else is using it.
*This is the latest and it's really sleek.
* Or....any number of such reasons which we unfortunately hear too often!
There is no formula for the right and wrong time to use technology. Only you can decide from your knowledge of the learners, the content, and the technologies available to you.
Today's choices help us meet the demand of students for "anytime/anywhere" education. When deciding how to deliver courses from Iowa State, you can choose from Web-based platforms, mixed delivery methods, CD-ROMs, DVDs, Breeze Live, Podcasting, media streaming - you name it -
Offer comments on your experience with technology.....What has worked for you - for your students? What do you want to learn more about? How can the Iowa State Distance Education staff help you?
Kris Phelps, Program Coordinator