Instructional Technology: Pedagogy for the Future.

Abstract

Instructional technology (IT) has moved to the forefront of education in a big hurry. Leading educational journals tout endless sources of grants and funding opportunities earmarked for new IT programs. Multimedia computer classrooms, video distribution centers, satellite downlink conference rooms, and network connections to the Information Super Highway are common themes in many professional periodicals. Technology may be advancing, but are changes in the pedagogy that will make the best use of these new teaching tools keeping pace? This article examines three new learning paradigms and proposes matching the most popular instructional technologies to the best classroom practices. Three paradigms include Enactive Classroom Learning; Learning and Classroom Focus; and Presenting Student Learning. If teachers can identify which paradigm is best suited to their particular learning situation, they will be able to fully exploit the strengths of instructional technology. Let's begin with a look at the most popular technologies supporting classroom learning. (For a complete definition, see Table 1, Glossary of Terms.) Table 1: Glossary of Terms Instructional Technologies in the Classroom Audio-Only: Typical elementary and secondary students are likely to spend nearly 90% of their time listening. Common audio formats include cassette tape, phonograph (yes, we still use these in schools) and compact discs. Audiomedia contributions are centered in foreign language and music studies where sensory presentation and abstract learning modes are valued. Audioconference: An audio-communications session involving transmission of voices only among several geographically dispersed people, provided in a telephone conference environment. It is an easy and cost-effective way to incorporate guest speakers or content experts. CBT (Computer-Based Training): Also known as computer assisted instruction (CAI), this technology uses the computer to deliver training and instruction. CBT programs are called courseware (educational software) and allow learners to interact with programmed lessons sequenced and reinforced behaviorally. CDI (Computer Delivered Instruction): A computer sends messages, provides assignment feedback, submits papers, retrieves lesson plans and materials, and researches thousands of hand-picked computer sites. CDI media increases interaction among students electronically by providing text, audio and visual information linked by the author to specific learning objectives. CMI (Computer-Managed Instruction): A computer organizes and manages the instructional program for students. It helps create test materials; tracks the results and monitors student progress; plus prescribes and controls the pace of individual lessons. CMI's strengths lie in teacher-centered instruction. Computer Conference: An arrangement in which two or more participants exchange information using personal computers. With conferencing software, participants can share the learning experience with fellow learners at other sites located anywhere in the world. For example, multiple parties at different locations can participate in a CU-SeeMe conference, each from his or her own desktop computer, stimulating metacognitive growth and enactive learning. Electronic mail (Email): Transmission of messages over a network. Users can send Email to a single recipient or broadcast it to multiple people. Mailing lists are used to manage high-volume traffic. When employed in a classroom environment, Email is used to send and receive learning logs, posit questions, distribute grades, disseminate assignments, etc. Internet: A massive network of computers spanning the entire world. It is actually a collection of smaller networks. Each local network is connected to one or more other local networks, usually over high-speed digital phone line. The Internet is made up of more than 100,000 interconnected networks in over 100 countries, comprised of commercial, academic and government networks. …