IT Considerations for the Classroom

From McKeachie (2002)& selected feedback from former and current STEP Fellows

Jennie BrownCETLMay 2004

IT Possibilities

• Put learning “in hands” of learner (“mindtools”…)

• Diverse content

• Opportunity for collaboration

= increased engagement and motivation in some cases

Considerations before implementing IT

• Self

• Students

• Course content

• Available tools

Teacher (Self)

• Considerations:– Skills/experience– Time– Role as teacher/teaching philosophy

• Process:– Lecturer to guide

• Facilitating activities• Guiding search for knowledge• Mentoring• Supporting

Students

• Considerations:– Skill/experience– Access– Learning styles

• Process:– Passive to active learner

• Monitoring• Controlling• Collaborating• Doing

How did you use technology with your students?

• Virtual chemistry lab experiments• Students explored audio/visual

examples in Matlab• “I used it tons – I created a few

online simulations and an online game. Also I did workshops on common programs like Excel and PowerPoint. One simulation was of Galileo’s thermometer which I used to demonstrate density…”

Course Content

• Identify learning objectives/course goals

• Consider discipline-specific values• McKeachie, pg. 208

– Knowledge comprehension• Presentation and distribution

– Application & analysis• Drill and practice

– Critical thinking & collaboration• Interaction and communication

– Synthesis & evaluation• Creation and manipulation

Concerns…

• How to use IT without taking up too much class time

• How to “integrate” technology, rather than “adding” it– Only use IT that supports course content

and objectives. Weave it into daily activities or homework, or use it to reserve class time for face-to-face activities

– Focus on the teaching and learning, NOT the technology itself

Available Tools

• Communication (present, collaborate)

– email, discussion boards

• Presentation (present, integrate)

– PowerPoint, Inspiration, Mimio, SofTV

• Information Search (present, integrate, manipulate)– Web, databases

• Audio and Video (present, integrate)

Available Tools

• Course Management (present, integrate, interact)– WebCT, CoWeb

• Creation (interact, present, apply, synthesis)– Databases, Lectora, Dreamweaver, Flash

• Discipline-specific (present, integrate, reinforce, apply)– Matlab

• Distance Learning (present, interact)– HorizonLive

Concerns…

• More active and interactive uses of IT…– Upload notes or presentations, so

that students can view content from home and come to class ready for face-to-face activity

– Focus on tools that promote collaboration, application, and synthesis

Barriers/Challenges

• Students not accustomed to using email or Web apps on a daily basis

• “…I expected the computers to function a little better. They had constant network and sound problems. The IT department was very slow in fixing anything. Students, the teacher, and I would become frustrated when the equipment did not work.”

• “There (was) limited access in the schools; the students also were not expected to use technology that much.”

• “I do not recommend Audio labs unless the teacher has full control over the class…Some students would just listen to music…or play games and surf the Web instead of doing their work…”

Facilitating transition

• Give students time to make mistakes and learn how to use the technology

• Collect feedback from students periodically or encourage their regular feedback

• Set and state clear expectations

Advice to new Fellows

• “Just use it as much as you can because not a lot of these kids have access to tools like this.”

• “Tell the students up front that you are using instructional technology and that you will ask them about the experience later. I think technology is so infused into our culture now, that even when we use technology, we aren’t focused on its use and just take its benefits for granted…”

Advice to new Fellows

• “Do what you can with what you have.”

• “If you do computer labs, make sure the IT department gives you timely access to install programs…Also try to minimize the number of students in the lab (at one time)…”

• “CHECK WHAT’S AVAILABLE EARLY AND OFTEN!”

Ask for assistance

• Talk to your teachers and IT support at the schools

• CETL has resources– melissa.bachman@cetl.gatech.edu– jennifer.brown@cetl.gatech.edu

HTML Tools

Jennie & Melissa

Co-Web

• http://pbl.cc.gatech.edu/step

Other Web-editing software

• Lectora

• Dreamweaver