Concept Map for Technology and Media for Distance Education
In teaching and developing online courses, there are many technologies that can be used to facilitate learning. Moller (2008) suggested that as an instructor or instructional designer makes decisions regarding the technology to use in order to support knowledge building and to achieve specific learning outcomes. For example, if an instructor selects a static technology, little is performed in assisting a learner to build on his/her knowledge. Instead, static technologies provide learners with the opportunity to capture information. Further, static technologies are popular because they copy the face-to-face classroom or teacher-led instruction. Based on these findings, I have concluded that I am in the middle of the continuum. Through the continuous use of wikis, blogs, discussion boards, chats, and other similar and new technological approaches at Walden University, I will be moving closer towards the dynamic end of the interactivity that includes: a) virtual simulations and gaming, b) multi-user environments, and c) mindtools. These technologies will assist me in developing a precise, clearer, and deeper cognitive level. Further, mind tools are computer applications that, when used by learners to represent what they know, which in turn engage them in critical thinking about the content they are studying (Jonassen, 1996). For instance, using databases to organize students’ understanding of content organization necessarily engages them in analytical reasoning, where creating an expert system rule base requires them to think about the causal relationships between ideas. Therefore, students cannot use mindtools as learning strategies without thinking deeply about what they are studying.
References
Jonassen, D.H., Carr, C., & Yueh, H. (1998). Computers as mindtools for engaging learners in critical thinking. TechTrends. 43(2), 24-32.
Moller, L. (2008). Static and dynamic technologies. Unpublished. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.ecollege.com/ec/courses/14936/CRS-WUEDUC8812-3730064/8842_MS_Paper.pdf.
Baylor, Michele
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me more about Questia as it relates to static content??
Thanks so much!!
Lynetta
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI often use mindtools as I find them very useful for organizing my thought processes. I am curious about what kind of 'statistic' tool fits under dynamic. Please clarify.
Thanks,
Soraya
Hi Lynetta,
ReplyDeleteQuestia is online libraries,databases, and specialized digital repositories afford the online student unlimited content. The world's largest digital library of education. Further, it offers its subscribers multiple thousands of journals and books.
Michele
Hi Rayaray,
ReplyDeleteTo address your question, it depends on how you are using the technological device. For example,
we have wikis and blogs under static with any integration. On the other hand, these technological devices use is more involved by sharing, collaborating, and discussing ideas, etc.
Michele
Michele: I would agree that tools like wikis and blogs can fall into both categories. Today it really depends on the expertise of the instructional designer/instructor and how to effectively use these online tools.
ReplyDelete