We have been looking at two different frameworks for use with technology and education. The first one is “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education”, by Chickering and Gamon, and the second is “SECTIONS”, by Bates and Poole (2003). I had used the SECTIONS framework by Bates and Poole (2003) in a previous MET course, so felt a bit of familiarity there, however I really found myself connecting to Chickering and Gamon’s work.

Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort that a solo race. Good learning, like good work, is collaborative and social, not competitive and isolated. Working with others often increases involvement in learning. Sharing one’s own ideas and responding to others’ reactions sharpens thinking and deepens understanding (Chickering & Gamson, 1987 ).

Most of the technology that I have been introducing into my classroom has had a collaborative nature to it. I did not intend for this to be my focus area, possibly it just lent itself to my way of thinking and my teaching style to try something new when the students are working together. Not sure… but either way, the 7 principles outlined in Chickering and Gamon have helped put into place a sort of checklist for me to use when I am creating my lessons. Actually, the 7 principles are good practice for all my teaching, whether it incorporates technology or not.

References:

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. & Ehrmann, S.C. (1996).  Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever. American Association for Higher Education Bulletin, 49(2), 3-6.

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.