Instructional Technology

Enhancing Education

The world we live in

Internet use doubles every 100 days.
Radio was in existence 38 years before
50 million people tuned in; TV took
13 years to reach that benchmark.

The world we live in

Sixteen years after the first PC kit
came out, 50 million people
were using one.
Once it was opened to the general
public, the Internet crossed that line
in four years.

The world we live in

Information technology has already
begun to create demand for highly skilled
Workers.
Countries that have an insufficient supply of
skilled workers will see high-skilled, high-paying
jobs migrate to countries that can supply the
needed talent.

The world we live in

The private sector and governments must

work together to create new human resources
policies that better prepare students and
workers to meet the challenges of the
emerging digital economy.

How do we use technology to enhance

teaching and learning?
We have a duty to our students to use
technology to enhance teaching and research.
We have a duty to ensure that all of our
students have an appropriate
familiarity with the technology that is so
rapidly remaking the world.

How do we use technology to enhance

teaching and learning?
By using technology to enhance teaching and
learning, we improve our core function as a
University, and give our students the skills
they need to function effectively in the
world of work.

Characteristics of good teaching

using instructional technology:
Instructors are well prepared.

Instructors excite and motivate students

Instructors communicate effectively
with their students.
Instructors bring latest information to
students

Characteristics of successful learning

when using instructional technology
Students gain and retain knowledge of the content
of the course.
Students develop critical thinking skills.
Students integrate knowledge within and across
disciplines.
Students develop the ability to work in a team to
solve a problem.
The use of modern instructional technologies
enhances teaching, and learning, by promoting
all of these characteristics.

Evolution of Technology

Opaque projector

Digital Projection
Panels

Home-theater
projector

Slide projector

Computer
projector

Multimedia
projector

Overhead projector

Video projector

Pocket projector

Using technology to enhance

education
The use of modern instructional technologies
enhances teaching, and learning, by promoting
all of these characteristics.

Enhances how we teach

New instructional tools:
Require that instructors are well organized
and adaptable.
Bring text, sounds and images to enrich
and enliven the classroom.
Improve communications between
instructor and student.

Further enhancements
More content available outside the
classroom (website, internet).

More interaction in the classroom.

Increased use of research methods in

undergraduate courses.

Enhancements to learning
New instructional tools:
Assist in the delivery of content knowledge
to students.
Availability of electronic data resources
and the web

Enhancements to learning
New instructional tools:
Improve retention
Increased interaction improves retention
Empower students who find communication
in traditional lecture to be intimidating.

Enhancements to learning
New instructional tools:
Improve the development of critical
thinking skills.
Students engage content in a
mode suited to their preferred
learning style.

Enhancements to learning
New instructional tools:
Improve students integration of knowledge
within and across disciplines.
Research projects can become part of the
standard course
Students can bring ideas to some stage of
completion, integrating knowledge more
effectively.

Enhancements to learning
New instructional tools:
Improve and encourage teamwork
and problem-solving.
Email and WWW applications enable
group activities, even in large courses
Conferencing and chat facilities
promote discussion

Change in Education Today