Choosing &
Using Technologies in Education & Training
Videoconferencing
Bates, A. W.
1995, Technology, Open Learning and
Distance Education, London: Routledge.
A book which provides an eminently
useable methodology for making competent and informed
decisions on choice and use of technologies in education.
Bates sets out criteria for decision-making based on an
analysis of common questions each institution must answer for
itself, to do with access, costs, teaching and learning,
interactivity and user-friendliness, organisational issues,
novelty, and speed.
Teachers and managers will find the
first chapter especially useful. In it, Bates proposes
12 golden rules for using technology in education
and training: good teaching matters; each medium has its own
aesthetic; educational technologies are flexible; there is no
super-technology; all major media types should be
available to teachers and learners; balance variety with
economy; interaction is essential; student numbers are
critical; new technologies are not necessarily better than
old ones; teachers need training to use technologies
effectively; teamwork is essential; and technology is not the
issue but how and what do we want students to learn is.
Subsequent chapters deal with the
educational, technical and cost issues involved in technology
selection and implementation of four major types of media:
print, television, audio (including telephone), and the
computer. He concludes with a thoughtful look at the future
of technology and its limitations in education and training.
Bivens, Herbert L, Chute, Alan
1996, 'Distance Learning Futures: Creating New Learning
Environments and Developing New Pedagogical Skills'. Lucent Technologies.
http://www.lucent.com/cedl/icdeenv2.html. Site accessed 17
July 1997.
Guidelines for educators on
constructing appropriate video teleconferencing environments,
and advice on pedagogical skills that will maximise student
learning based on videoconferencing. The paper covers group
and desktop videoconferencing technologies - physical issues
of room design, desktop layouts and protocols; methods of
presentation; maintaining audience attention; and learning
strategies.
Chute, Alan G.
1991, 'Strategies for implementing a teletraining system', Paper presented at International Teleconferencing
Association Convention.
http://www.lucent.com/cedl/strategy.html. Site accessed July
1997.
A useful paper for teachers and
managers which defines 'teletraining' as an integrated system
for planning and delivering interactive training in several
sites using audio, video and audiographics. The technologies
themselves have moved on since the article was published, but
the principles for design and implementation are still
current.
Chute, Alan G., Balthazar, Lee B., &
Poston, Carol O.
1988, 'Learning from Teletraining', article originally published in American
Journal of Distance Education.
http://www.lucent.com/cedl/learntt.html. Site accessed July
1997.
A summary of five years' learning from
teletraining, identifying what students and teachers have
each learned about design and management of teletraining
systems - defined as 'a complete system that integrates the
planning, delivery and management of training by using a
combination of information technology and teleconferencing
services'. Media used are audio, audiographics and video. The
article covers instructional effectiveness, cost benefit
analyses, course and curriculum development, instructor
competencies, and media attributes.
Gilbertson, Denny & Poindexter,
Jamie
1997, Distance education classroom
design.
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/rooms/county.htm. Site accessed
July 1997.
Excellent tips for designing
teleconferencing meeting rooms and flexible learning
classrooms using audio and videoconferencing, satellite,
computers or desktop collaboration. While the details are
specific to the University of Wisconsin, the issues and the
advice on how to maximise effective utilisation of the
technologies are pertinent to Australian conditions.
Laurillard, Diana
1993, Rethinking University Teaching: a
Framework for the Effective Use of Educational Technology,
London, Routledge.
This book, written by a leading UK Open
University academic, has greatly influenced approaches to
staff development in Australian universities in recent years.
Laurillard sets out a framework to help teachers think about
the nature and processes of learning and how best to use and
combine new and established media in their teaching. Part 1
explores students' learning, and what it is that they need
from educational technology. Part 11 looks at individual
teaching methods and media, including non-interactive media
(lectures, print, audio), hypermedia (CD-Rom and the Web),
and interactive media (simulations, modelling programs). Part
111 examines design methodology, designing learning
activities, setting up the learning context, and maintaining
quality.
Mason, Robin
1994, Using Communications Media in Open
and Flexible Learning, London, Kogan Page.
An accessible, practical and reliable
introduction to three telecommunications technologies:
computer conferencing, audiographics and videoconferencing,
which demystifies the jargon. In the first three chapters,
Mason covers issues for teachers, organisations and students
considering courses and training programs based on these
media, the educational value of interactivity, the support
mechanisms which are necessary, and the broader implications
of asynchronous media. Chapters 4-6 are especially useful,
being devoted to the types of educational use, advantages and
disadvantages, equipment and techniques, and future trends in
each medium. She argues that the three components of success
in each case (course design, quality of teaching, and support
facilities) are not medium-dependent, but that these
components in turn depend on a thorough understanding of the
strengths and limitations of the medium used.
Oliver, Ron & Grant, Mike
1994, Distance Education Technologies: a
Review of Instructional Technologies for Distance Education
and Open Learning. Perth: InTech Research, Edith Cowan
University.
A highly practical and very useable
guide to the various instructional technologies that can be
used to support distance teaching and flexible learning. Four
groups of technology are outlined - telelearning (including
various forms of television and teleconferencing); computer
mediated communications; computer mediated instruction; and
print and other 'hard copy' materials. Each section briefly
describes the technology, its instructional applications and
learning opportunities, its relative strengths and weaknesses
as a delivery medium, the costs and equipment required to
support its use, and information on groups and organisations
able to provide services and assistance to providers of
education and training.
Tkal, Lucy (Series editor)
1997, Technology Survey Report (3rd
ed.), Open Training and Education Network, NSW TAFE.
A deservedly popular and eminently
useable introduction to the communications technologies
available for flexible learning, the Report is a handy
reference to keep at one's elbow. Technologies covered
include the range of teleconferencing, computer mediated
communications, computer managed learning, broadcasting, and
online technologies. Each section describes the technology,
its applications, equipment and service requirements, its
advantages and disadvantages, and cost factors.
Willis, Barry
Distance Education at a Glance.
http://www.uidaho.edu/evo/distglan.html.
Site accessed July 1997.
A set of 14 concise, well-presented
guides on distance learning, covering an overview, teaching
strategies, instructional development, evaluation,
instructional television, instructional audio, computers in
distance education, print in distance education, learning
strategies, distance education research, interactive
videoconferencing, the worldwide web, copyright, and a
glossary of terms. The guides can be downloaded free.
[Top]
Please add your case studies or comments to
this site
[Entry]
[Feedback] [Search]