Educational Technology Foundations
Module 7: Learning Theory
Understanding how people learn is essential to making effective use of technology. A book by that title was commissioned by the National Research Council. You can order from Amazon a printed copy of How People Learn, or you can read it online. Chapter 9 covers uses of technology to support learning. In order to understand the proper role of technology in education, however, you need to understand the learning principles covered in the first eight chapters of the book.
Technology Integration
After presenting what is known about the science of learning in Chapters 1-8, the book How People Learn devotes Chapter 9 to the use of technology to support learning. Chapter 9 identifies the following five ways of using new technologies:
- Bringing exciting curricula based on real-world problems into the classroom.
- Providing scaffolds and tools to enhance learning.
- Giving students and teachers more opportunities for feedback, reflection, and revision.
- Building local and global communities that include teachers, administrators, students, parents, practicing scientists, and other interested people.
- Expanding opportunities for teacher learning.
Educational Technology Models
In the book National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers; Preparing Teachers to Use Technology, ISTE identifies the following four model strategies for integrating technology into teaching:
- Web-based lessons
- Multimedia presentations
- Telecomputing projects
- Online discussions
Universial Design for Learning
Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning is a book written by David H. Rose & Anne Meyer. Published by ASCD in 2002, this book is the result of research by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). The idea is that the use of technology can be used to transform the nature of the curriculum itself. There is a freely available e-book version that has links to information regarding universal design for learning (UDL), which utilizes a systematic approach to setting goals, choosing or creating flexible materials and media, and assessing students.
