Alan Holzl (a.holzl@mailbox.uq.edu.au)
Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:51:20 +1000
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:51:20 +1000 From: Alan Holzl <a.holzl@mailbox.uq.edu.au> Subject: Re: IFETS-DISCUSS Digest - 8 Oct 1999 to 9 Oct 1999
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After a period of "missing in action" but still "lurking", I wish to
respond to Stephan Mahaley about the multiplicity of content format and the
support services provided to teachers for promoting flexible learning. As a
member of a unit which would qualify as one of these support services we
try to encourage our clients to choose and use the best technology for the
learning context. For example if you are just going to put lecture notes
on the web which are then printed out by students, then why not produce
them in print format to start with? There are a number of studets who are
starting to believe that the use of the web is an evil plot to switch the
cost of printing from the university to them.
Despite our best advice and best intentions there seems to be a number of
teachers who want to use the technology just because it is there and they
can do it. Don't we all remember when we were learning to use a word
processor and we wanted to use all of the different font types and sizes
just because we could.
The main criteria for deciding what technology to use, apart from what the
students have access to and can use, is achieving the desired learning
outcome with the appropriate technology. Why use the web for just text
when print will do it just as well? Why use streaming video for showing a
talking head? Why use a still graphic to show an operation or process
which involves movement when a video or animation is much more effective?
It is all about using the right tool for the job and the new information
technologies simply provide a wider and more sophisticated range of tools.
We also need to develop more sophisticated models of learning and
instructional design to exploit the full capabilities of these new tools,
however the learning needs should determine the choice and use of the tool
not vice versa.
Alan Holzl
>Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 10:18:33 -0400
>From: Stephen Mahaley <mahaley@mail.duke.edu>
>Subject: flexible learning and quality education
>
>List address to send message to everyone: ifets-discuss@LISTSERV.READADP.COM
>Details of current discussion: http://ifets.ieee.org/discussions/discuss.html
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>
><<Julian Beckton wrote:
>So where am I going with all this. I think that if flexible learning is
>to
>come close to pleasing everyone, (you can't ever please everyone!)
>we, as an educational community, have to accept that it is not a
>panacea that solves the problems of traditional teaching, nor is it a
>way of saving money. We need to re-emphasise the focus on the
>student, and talk less about teaching, and more about student
>learning. Of course, I'm preaching to the converted on this list, but
>as many contributors to the list are academics, I'd be interested in
>their experience of the support services they use, and how effective
>they are in promoting flexible or student centred learning. >>
>
>I think you're on the right track in saying that flexible learning, as
>you describe it, can not be a cure-all for the many issues teachers and
>students face. I don't think you can really talk about student
>learning, though, without considering teaching methods. The two go hand
>in hand, in my opinion.
>
>Also, I fear that the notion of flexible learning as multiplicity of
>content format (html, video, audio, cd, speaker, handout, etc) may
>overshadow the underlying need for quality. I see the growing number of
>on line learning sites, cd - based tutorials, virtual campuses, and hope
>that these materials are coming under close scrutiny for quality. It
>will be very interesting in ten years' time to see the results of the
>virtual campuses and on line resources (flexible learning) on student
>performance. I would venture a guess that a market full of every kind
>and combination of learning material and format will not equate good
>learning or teaching. Give me one good lecturer, I say!
>
>There is promise, however, that an approach that is flexible in terms of
>learning/materials format will provide students who function well with
>this the opportunity to learn in a way that is best suited towards their
>"style". This opens up a huge can of worms for the average teacher and
>school system, however, with regard to evaluation, teacher preparation,
>and logistics.
>
>Best regards to all -
>
>--
>Stephen M. Mahaley
>Distributed Learning Support Specialist
>Executive Education, Fuqua School of Business
>mahaley@mail.duke.edu
>
>------------------------------
>
Alan Holzl
Research and Development Officer
Learning Resources Development Unit _--_|\
The Teaching and Educational Development Institute / *
University of Queensland, Ipswich \_.--._/
11 Salisbury Road
Ipswich QLD 4305
07 33811265 Fax 07 33811252
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