Alan Holzl (a.holzl@mailbox.uq.edu.au)
Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:17:15 +1000
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:17:15 +1000 From: Alan Holzl <a.holzl@mailbox.uq.edu.au> Subject: Re: IFETS-DISCUSS Digest - 12 Oct 1999 to 13 Oct 1999
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I have a number of points to make in response to Martin's contribution below.
First, isn't "reflection on practice" the same as "evaluation and feedback"
which was one of the steps in a systems model of training which arose out
of a "rationale that has been determined by adherence to some theory of
learning or other" namely a behaviourist learning theory? When I refer to
a more sophisticated model, I mean a more constructivist model or maybe a
contingency model which views the selection of the most appropriate theory
or model as part of educational/instructional/curriculum design. Another
alternative could be a more eclectic approach as referred to by Martin
which would also fit my definition of a more sophisticated learning model
although I personally don't think that oil and water mix very well.
Second, I must disagree with Martin's statement that the WWW is cheap and
is available everywhere. Maybe this is the case in the UK but it is
certainly not the case in Australia and in many third world countries.
That is not to say that sometime in the future it will not eventually be as
ubiquitous as television but we must work with the tools we have now and if
we want to avoid the multiplicity of media formats which other contributors
have referred to then maybe we have to adopt the simplist form of
technology which is available to everyone.
I do not have the time or space to go into all of the different contexts
and criteria which I believe should determine a choice of media in teaching
and learning but if we consider teaching in the context of communicating
then I would still choose print over the web, even if it was cheap and
available if I wished to engage in one way communication using text without
the need for any external links, graphics, animations and video etc. There
are still a lot of people out there who do not like to read text from a
computer screen and prefer to print it out anyway.
Whether one way communication is the best way to engage in teaching and
learning is another issue.
Alan>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 10:33:27 +0000
>From: Martin Owen <t.m.owen@bangor.ac.uk>
>Subject: Re: IFETS-DISCUSS Digest - 8 Oct 1999 to 9 Oct 1999
>
>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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>
>Alan writes:
>>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.
>>
>I do not think we need more sophisticated models of learning. We need more
>sophisticated reflection on practice. Educational Technology has been
>plagued over the years by appeals to a rationale that has been determined
>by adherence to some theory of learning or other.
>
>The joys of "flexible learning" in most of the institutions I have worked
>with since the phrase became vogue in the UK 12 years ago is its very
>ecelecticism. Teachers and educators have learned from the practice of
>others and applied it well in their own contexts.
>
>This does not deny the need for frameworks of analysis and a set of
>linguistic tools to describe what we are doing ( which may be called
>theory).
>
>If you need to ask why use web when print works well... you have missed the
>point of the WWW. Its cheap, its available everywhere and everyone can
>contribute to the knowledge of others wherever they are. It busts open the
>need to have tight structured learning systems because the learner can
>access what they want ... not just what some "instructional designer" has
>programmed for them.
>
>MArtin
>
>Martin Owen
>T.M.Owen@bangor.ac.uk
>
>
>School of Education Yr Ysgol Addysg
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>------------------------------
>
>End of IFETS-DISCUSS Digest - 12 Oct 1999 to 13 Oct 1999
>********************************************************
>
>
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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