Teaching and Learning with Technology

Theoretical Foundations
Chapter 1

Teaching and Learning with Technology

What is Educational Technology?

Educational technology is any technology used by educators in support of the teaching and learning process Educators study educational technology in order to have a sound foundation in the technologies needed to teach NETS-T standards articulate what teachers and students should know about technology
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Educational Technology & Instruction

Educational technologies are the tools teachers use to create an effective instructional event An instructional event includes all activities that promote the transfer of knowledge and/or skills in the learning environment The learning environment includes the physical and non-physical aspects of the area in which the instructional event takes place
Teaching and Learning with Technology

About Learning
A variety of theories explain how people learn Each theory offers a different perspective on learning Some theories may be contradictory Each teacher must personally decide which theory he or she agrees with

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theories
Learning as Communication Knowledge is transferred by sending a message from sender to receiver Receiver then returns feedback to sender Sender receives feedback All messages are impacted by variables that may alter the pure meaning of the intended message
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theories
Factors Affecting Learning
Psychological Factors Environmental Factors Personal Filters

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theories
Environmental Factors Any factor in the environment that may cause a learner to lose focus Environmental conditions can block communications Lighting, movement, temperature may all interfere with communications

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theories
Psychological Factors Unique individual differences that define and impact reception of communicated information Emotional state may interfere with message reception Learning styles (preferred sensory gateways) may interfere with transmission
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theories
Personal Filters Individuals values, heritage, and belief system that may alter intended messages May include attitudes, cultural differences, and opinions Filters are present in both sender and receiver

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theories
Behaviorists All behavior is a response to external stimuli Students learn (acquire behaviors, skills and knowledge) in response to rewards and punishments Learning is a passive response to the environment

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theories
Cognitivists Focus is on learning as a mental operation Information enters through senses, is mentally manipulated, stored and used Learning is explained in terms of how one thinks Believe learning is more complex than simple behavioristic responses
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Learning Theory
Constructivists Knowledge is constructed as a result of the learning process and is unique to the person who constructs it Learning happens when knowledge is assimilated or accommodated (Piaget) Knowledge may be constructed best in a social context
Teaching and Learning with Technology

The Learner
Cognitive Styles The manner in which one thinks and interprets the environment Myers-Briggs helps to determine cognitive preferences Understanding cognitive styles helps teachers create a supportive instructional environment
Teaching and Learning with Technology

The Learner
Learning Styles Conditions under which one learns best Relates to individual sensory dominance Auditory learners learn best by listening Visual learners learn best by seeing Kinesthetic/Tactile learners learn best by doing and touching

Teaching and Learning with Technology

The Learner
Intelligence Inherent capabilities to learn and understand Standford-Binet IQ tests emphasize verbal and mathematical abilities Howard Gardners Multiple Intelligence theory suggests everyone has some degree of each of nine types of intelligence

Teaching and Learning with Technology

The Learner
Multiple Intelligences Verbal-Linguistic MathematicalLogical Musical Visual-Spatial Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalistic Existential

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Teaching and Learning

Teaching is a systematic planned sequence of events Teaching is a process that communication of ideas and skills Teaching takes into account individual and environmental factors related to the learner Skilled teachers are aware of learning theories and learner characteristics that impact the process
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Teaching and Learning

Technology is a component of the teaching and learning process Educational technology includes any resource used to facilitate teaching and learning This view of technology has been an evolution consistent with the evolution of learning theories
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Educational Technology
An Historical Overview The audio-visual movement began in the early 1900s with the advent of movies Slides, radio, sound recordings were added in the 1920s-1930s to support the wars Television drove audio-visuals in the 1950s

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Educational Technology
An Historical Overview In the 1960s A-V was expanded to a broader systems view By the 1970s educational technology was redefined to include all types of learning resources and systems With the advent of the computer in the 1980s, educational technology entered the Digital Age
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Educational Technology
Today The systems view of educational technology embraces all media and systems that support the teaching and learning process Each teacher must decide how to best utilize technology in support of his or her students

Teaching and Learning with Technology