May 16 2009
Two Selection Frameworks
e-learning has become big business and teachers have more choice of learning technologies than ever before. However, not all learning technologies are designed with sound pedagogical principles and administrators, teachers, parents and students must proceed with caution before adopting a new learning technology. In module one of 565, I was exposed to two selection frameworks for learning technologies. The first, “Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education”by Chickering and Gamson (1987) suggests 7 basic principles to achieve a good academic program. The second framework offered by Bates and Poole (2003), called SECTIONS, recommends criteria with which to assess learning technologies. I will breifly summarize them here:
The 7 principles for good practice:
1. Encourages contacts between students and faculty.
2. Develops reciprocity and cooperation among
students.
3. Uses active learning techniques.
4. Gives prompt feedback.
5. Emphasizes time on task.
6. Communicates high expectations.
7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning.
SECTIONS
S – Students: What is known about the students – or potential students – and the appropriateness of the technology for this particular group or range of students?
E – Ease of use and reliability: how easy is it for both teachers and students to use? How reliable and well tested is the technology?
C – Costs: what is the cost structure of each technology? What is the unit cost per learner?
T – Teaching and learning: what kinds of learning are needed? What instructional approaches will best meet these needs? What are the best technologies for supporting this teaching and learning?
I – Interactivity: what kind of interaction does this technology enable?
O – Organizational issues: What are the organizational requirements and the barriers to be removed before this technology can be used successfully? What changes in organization need to be made?
N – Novelty: how new is this technology?
S – Speed: how quickly can courses be mounted with this technology? How quickly can materials be changed?
Citations:
Bates, A.W. & Poole, G. (2003). Chapter 4: a Framework for Selecting and Using Technology. In Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundations for Success. (pp. 77-105). San Francisco: Jossey Bass
Chickering, A.W. & Gamson, Z.F. (1987). Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. American Association for Higher Education Bulletin, 39 (7), 3-7
