Understanding the Basics

Lesson 1: Chapter 1

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An Overview• Educational Technology• Learning • Learning Hindrances• Know the Learner• Teaching• Pedagogy• Methods vs Media• Effective Learning Environment• Why use Technology?

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Educational TechnologyDefinition Varies

– Educators: any media than can be used in instruction

– Technologists: hardware available for classroom use

– Association for Educational Communications and Technology: the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning

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–To meet professional standards (Federal and State)

–To provide learning opportunities• Some must hear; some must see; some must do

–To discover the tools

Why Study Educational Technology?

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Learning• Defined as the transfer of knowledge and/or skills from

teacher to student• A complex activity viewed differently by individuals

– Based on previous experiences– Resulting from being rewarded– Influenced by one’s culture– Occurs to avoid punishment– Results from thinking– Will be lost if not reinforced– Requires a social framework

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What Interferes With Learning?

1. Environmental Factors– Loud, incessant outside noise– Dim lighting– Excessive movement– Uncomfortable temperature– Uncomfortable seating– Disorganization– Classroom interruptions

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What Interferes With Learning?

2. Psychological Factors– Receiver’s emotional state

• Internal turmoil• Manner of message delivery contrary to

preferred learning style

– Perception of message delivery

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What Interferes With Learning?

3. Personal Filters– Personal values

– Cultural heritage

– Social belief system

– Negative attitude/closed mind

– Cultural beliefs• May cause one to reject or distort information

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A View of the Learner• Cognitive Styles

– How does one think?– Patterns of thinking determined by the Myers-

Briggs Type Indicator• Extrovert or introvert• Sensing or intuitive• Thinking or feeling• Judging or perceiving

– Cognitive characteristics influence learning

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A View of the Learner• Learning Styles

–Under what conditions do we learn best?

• Auditory

• Visual

• Kinesthetic

–Learning styles affect learning

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A View of the Learner• Intelligence

– To what degree is the student able to understand and learn?

– IQ (Intelligence quotient) tests provide snapshot of student’s intelligence without bias• Stanford-Binet most commonly used• Controversial/debated • Extensively researched to develop

instrument that provides more accurate results

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Know the Learners• Developmental Stages

– Physically and cognitively– Reading levels

• Cultural or Language Backgrounds• Incoming Skills and Knowledge Base• Individual Characteristics

– Learning styles– Cognitive styles– Intelligence (dominant or types of intelligence)

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What is Teaching?Systematic, planned sequence of events that facilitate the communication of an idea, concept, or skill to a learner

Teaching styles vary based on personal preferences and teacher’s own learning style, cognitive style,

and dominant intelligence.

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Teaching and Learning Strategies and Pedagogy

• Teaching Strategies—methods teachers use to assist students in achieving objectives

• Learning Strategies—techniques and activities teachers require students to engage in to master content

• Pedagogy—combination and implementation of planned teaching and learning strategies; the actual function of teaching; what teachers do when implementing their craft to assist students’ learning

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Pedagogical Cycle• Provide a pre-organizer• Use motivators• Build bridges to prior knowledge• Share objectives• Introduce new knowledge• Reinforce knowledge• Provide practice experiences• Review materials presented

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M e t h o d s vs M e d i a

• Teacher-Centered– Presentation– Lecture– Demonstration– Class discussion

• Student-Centered– Research projects– Oral reports– Cooperative learning

groups– Simulations– Role playing– Games

Methods—strategies (actions and activities) used to achieve the lesson objectives

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M e t h o d s vs M e d i a

• Non-projected visual media– Posters, charts, bulletin boards, models, dioramas

• Projected visuals– Overhead transparencies, slides, computer displays

• Audio media– Videocassettes, DVDs, broadcasts, webcasts

• Digital media – Anything generated via computer technologies

Media— all technologies used to facilitate the method

Materials and media differ in that materials are any supplies teachers or students use during a lesson.

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The Learning Environment• Definition—all conditions, circumstances, and influences that

affect the learner’s development

• Examples include– Physical surroundings/physical space

• Lighting, room arrangement, quiet areas, temperature– Non-physical components

• Instructional events• Teaching and learning strategies• Assessment techniques• Teacher, coach, or facilitator roles

– Positive, caring attitude• Plan of interaction—teacher to student• General academic climate

– Tone of the environment

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Why Use Technology?• To enhance the quality and clarify of

communication• To increase the likelihood that a

presentation addresses a specific learning style or intelligence

• To ensure the rewards and feedback that are critical to some learners

• To enhance and support the teaching-learning process

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Why Use Technology?A general rule of thumb suggests that a technology included in a lesson should make it possible for something that was done before to be done better or make it possible for something that couldn’t have been done before to happen (p 63).

Kids are different . . . learning is different . . . and teaching must be different, too. (p 5).

Lever-Duffy, 2005