Facilitating Learning with Technology
How to use and select technology in your teaching?
- Technology is only effective when there are strong teaching practices in place.
It is easy to select and use technology but much more difficult to use it to add to the learning experience
- If the purpose of technology is to improve education then we should only select tools based on
- educational or learning needs of your learners, as well as their skills and knowledge
- course content and outcomes
- technology capability and suitability
- From a systems approach, teaching with technology involves four major components:
the course content, the instructor, the students and the technology tools (See Figure 17.1.).
We need to attend to each component in order to make technology integration as successful as possible
However, we also need to reflect on the purpose and the context or the pedagogical (or teaching) framework
The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge or TPACK model is a model that argues good teaching practice requires an understanding of how technology relates to the pedagogy and content and attempts to identify the nature of knowledge required by teachers for technology integration in their teaching.
It assumes that engaged and meaningful learning takes places when all 3 areas are connected and acknowledged.
Applying principles of Good practice in undergraduate education to specific technologies:
1. Encourages contact between students and faculty (e.g. Padlet)
2. Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students. (e.g. Padlet)
3. Encourages active learning. (e.g. Mix, Padlet)
4. Gives prompt feedback.(e.g. Mix, Padlet)
5. Emphasizes time on task.
6. Communicates high expectations.
7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning (e.g. Mix, Padlet)
These principles are a great foundation to plan your learning and are founded upon encouraging active learning and interaction.
Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education (1987).