Choosing and Using Technologies in Education RACOL Professional Development

Questions to Consider Is this choice relevant to the planned objectives and instructional techniques? Will this choice enhance the teaching/learning interaction? Will this choice enhance the learning process? Is the necessary equipment available to me for use in the classroom in which my class meets?

How much time and effort are required to prepare instructional materials for use with this technology? Do I have the skills necessary to develop and deliver instructional materials for use with this technology? Are materials prepared by others available?

Relevance While it is now possible to overcome obstacles such as accessibility, cost, time, effort, and lack of skill with a particular instructional technology, your number one consideration should always be relevance.

Available Technologies Textbooks Whiteboard/SMART Board TM – including shared applications like PowerPoint/ Word/Excel Visualiser Video/DVD Web sites – including simulations etc WebCT sites

DOs and DON’Ts for PowerPoint DO give careful consideration to your reasons for using computerized materials in the classroom. project computer images onto a large screen. write up only the main points – no more than five points on any one slide. DON’T read what is already written on the slide except to expand the ideas – if you know that one or more students have visual impairments, you can ignore this advice.

DO talk about each point to expand on it – do not write the expansion on the slide. use large type – size 24 is good. use appropriate visuals for interest.

DOs and DON’Ts for Video/DVD DO prepare learners to see the film. Explain why you chose this film and what you expect them to get from it. practise operating the VCR and remote before class find the place on the tape where you want to start the viewing ahead of time. DON’T put the video on and go for coffee. Even if you have seen the video a hundred times, stay in the room and view it with the learners.

DO stop the video from time to time if you think it will enhance learning. have a follow-up activity such as large or small group discussions.

DOs and DON’Ts for WebCT DO Provide a clear outline of expectations in the course outline Actively develop students’ skills Be aware of the range of computer skills/ knowledge DON’T Use WebCT in synchronous (in class) settings Use WebCt if you don’t have to (e.g. for , posting PowerPoints, etc)