Is the Tail Wagging the Dog?
Many would claim that the useful application of technology during the twentieth century has been a contributing factor in the increased influence of western culture in the world. Recently, companies concerned with applied technology have turned their gaze towards higher education and have flooded the market with items “guaranteed” to improve academic learning environments. Colleges and Universities have responded by pouring millions of dollars into instructional technology budgets. But do these educational technology products deliver observable results, or is technology a false promise? Far from suggesting all instructors should subscribe to neo-luddite doctrine, this program will discuss a methodology that utilizes Lee Shulman’s research insights1. Through the implementation of this method, instructors can shift the discussion from the merits of technology itself to the ability of technology to facilitate the realization of intended student learning outcomes. Examples using this methodology will be shared.
1Shulman, L.S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4-14.
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