Choosing &
Using Technologies in Education & Training
Computer Managed
Learning
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.
Hesketh, Beryl, Gosper, Maree, Andrews,
John & Sabaz, Mark
1996, Computer-mediated Communication in
University Teaching, Evaluations & Investigations
Program, Department of Employment, Education, Training &
Youth Affairs, Canberra, AGPS.
Report of a project to estimate the
extent to which computer-mediated communication is likely to
penetrate traditional instruction in the next 3-5 years, and
to identify barriers to introduction of new technologies in
higher education. It shows that, despite public rhetoric,
'there is no groundswell of movement towards the use of
technology; only patches of enthusiasm', and proposes ways of
resolving this. It will be of particular interest to
educational managers developing policy and allocating
resources in relation to electronic technologies for
teaching/learning.
James, Richard, & Beattie, Kate
1995, Expanding Option: Delivery
Technologies and Postgraduate Coursework, Evaluations
& Investigations Program, Department of Employment,
Education & Training, Canberra, AGPS.
This investigation of the
practicalities of using various technologies and 'delivery'
methods to create flexible and effective postgraduate
learning environments is equally relevant to other areas of
education and training. Practitioners will find particularly
useful: Chapter 5 on delivery modes and practice - classroom
interactions, computer-mediated communications and
instructional techniques, audiovisual and print strategies,
and other techniques. Managers will also find Chapter 8 on
implementation and integration useful - covering
administrative structures and support, cost comparisons, and
copyright. Chapter 9 deals with changing teaching roles and
staff development needs
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.
Lee, Victor, Murphy, David, Chan, C.C.
& Chung, Linda
1997, Computer-aided distance
learning: a case study, Open Learning, Vol. 12,
No. 1, February, pp. 58-62.
A short but useful summary of the steps
required to design, implement and evaluate a CAL package to
teach elements of a computer and network architectures course
which students had found difficult when taught more
conventionally.
Mason, Robin & Kaye, Anthony (eds.)
1989. Mindweave: Communication,
Computers and Distance Education.
Oxford, Pergamon Press.
http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/mindweave/mindweave.html
A classic text, now out of print but
available electronically for research/study purposes. The
book comprises 20 chapters on a wide range of issues under
the broad headings of themes and issues to do with
computer-mediated communications (CMC) and distance
education; computer conferencing and mass distance education;
applications of CMC in education; and reflections on CMC as a
medium for education.
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.
Race, Phil
1993 (2nd ed.), The Open Learning
Handbook, London: Kogan Page.
A down-to-earth handbook for teachers
and specialist staff involved in resource-based learning
delivered on campus, at home and at work. The approach and
style exemplify Race's views about good practice in designing
and presenting material and the book is very easy and
practical to use. Regardless of the mode of delivery,
practitioners will find helpful the chapters on designing for
flexible learning, the preparation of 'study guides',
learning outcomes, assessment, tutor-marked assignments, tone
and style, tutoring and mentoring. Chapter 7 covers computer
marked assignments (design, scoring, feedback, etc), while
Chapter 10 deals with flexible learning in traditional
classroom settings.
Tinkler, Don, Smith, Tony, Ellyard,
Peter, & Cohen, David
1994, Effectiveness and Potential of
State-of-the-Art Technologies in the Delivery of Higher
Education, Occasional Paper Series, Department of
Employment, Education and Training, Canberra, AGPS.
The technical 'state-of-the-art' has
moved on since this report was published, but it continues to
provide a valuable set of examples of good practice across a
wide range of subjects and technology types, mainly from
Australian universities. The report also canvasses at some
depth the effectiveness and potential of computer-based
technologies, and desirable frameworks for policy and
budgetary initiatives.
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.
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