Impact of Technology and Multimedia

Do you remember the time before there was a typewriter when people actually used handwritten letters to say what they wanted to say?  When the computer was first introduced I am sure a lot of people had some bad things to say about it, but look at what it can help us do now.  Computers run nuclear power plants, the government’s defense system, hospitals and other major places of importance.  With all of the strides in technology it has also had a major influence on education.  So much so, that we can be educated 24 hours a day all over the world with different types of training, certificate and degree programs in major disciplines with people from various countries, backgrounds and cultures.  According to Boettcher & Conrad (2010) due to the technology and multimedia utilized in the online course, learning can be easily transferred from the traditional environment to face-to-face environment (p. 58).

What impact does technology and multimedia have on online learning environments?

In online classes we learn not only logging into the course management system and reading the syllabus or checking assignments but also by using numerous Web 2.0 tools.  In fact, we have online discussions where we chat back and forth with each other about topics and get a chance to share our own feelings and experiences.  We also watch videos or PowerPoint presentations, listen to audio or use other features such as blogs, wikis and social network sites.   Everything that we do is inspired by technology to help us learn and to communicate better with each other.  In general, using technology helps us to become more familiar with it and we can learn in exciting ways.  Research has proven that technology has definitely enhanced literacy development by providing students access to word pronunciation, word meaning, contextual information, and comprehension scaffolds to guide an individual’s reading (O’Hara & Pritchard, 2010).  Technology can help learners to retain information, provides easy access to information from an abundance of sources, encourages students to learn, and boosts their confidence to learn own their own or with others (O’Hara & Pritchard, 2010).

What are the most important considerations an online instructor should make before implementing technology?

The first thing that the instructor should do is to design instruction to fit the needs of the learners, decide what content needs to be delivered and figure out any goals that he or she wants the students to achieve.   Next, the instructor should decide what kinds of technology to use.  There are many types of Web 2.0 tools such as audio, videos, blogs, wikis, animation, course management systems, podcasts, etc. The use of Web 2.0 tools will give students a chance to learn how to use different types of technology, teach them to work together and be able to use what they learn to help themselves.  In addition, our textbook states that when instructors create an online class we should keep it simple by focusing on the basics such as uploading text documents, setting up and creating discussion forums and setting up and using the grade book, and becoming familiar with the course management system (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).   We do not want to overpower the students with technology, but as time progresses the instructor can implement more tools in future classes.

What implications do usability and accessibility of technology tools have for online teaching?

If we decide to use different types of technology then we must make sure that it is easy to use, provide tutorials and other aids when available and the tools should meet the needs of the learners.   Also, we should keep in mind that students learn differently, come from different backgrounds and cultures and may have disabilities.  Instructors should design classes to support the needs of all the learners, be supportive to the students, encourage motivations and continue to help the students feel confident all while having a sense of belonging in the online learning community.

What technology tools are most appealing to you for online teaching as you move forward in your career in instructional design?

I think that one of the best technology tools that I have used was a wiki in a previous course to participate in a group project.  As a matter of fact, Dr. Rena Palloff and Dr. Keith Pratt explain in the Enhancing the Online Experience video that wikis are a great tool where users can create a collaborative webpage to share their work, edit information and leave comments (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013).  Another technology tool that I would be interested in using for my future class would be to use a podcast.  A podcast is “a digital audio or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series that can be downloaded from a Web site to a media player or computer” (Dictionary.com, 2013).  Most of the classes use a blog to get students to post information about specific topics that we learned about in class.  Yet, a podcast would be like taking the written information from a blog to a new level.  Students could see each other, it provides an intimate setting, and they could give each other feedback and offer suggestions.  Likewise, I would always incorporate the discussion forum, email and announcements which are vital to the success of the class.  These tools help students to find their way around the course management system, establishes a social presence, engages learning, and builds a strong learning community.

What did you learn that would help you implement effective online instructional strategies in the future?

The most important thing that I learned is that the tools used in the course should be simple, the instructor should be knowledgeable and available for help, and many resources should be easily accessible for the students. Similarly, I would have to remember that teaching an online class involves working with a diverse group of students and the instructional strategies should be tailored to fit the learner’s needs.  Online classes are learner-centered, and most students who attend these classes have busy careers, families, and could possibly have health issues.  As a future instructor or instructional designer, I should be flexible to design skill building activities, be understanding, able to create a presence, and capable of creating discussion forums that prompt students to share their life experiences and apply them to learning.  Furthermore, “the key to creating a positive experience is to identify the students’ needs and then incorporate activities that address their various learning styles, life experiences and expectations” (Conrad & Donaldson, 2011, p. 20).

References

(2013). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/podcast

Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Franciso: Jossey-Bass.

Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction. San Franciso: Jossey-Bass.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2013). Enhancing the online experience. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3466249_1%26url%3D

O’Hara, S., & Pritchard, R. (2010, July 20). What is the impact of technology on learning? Retrieved from Education.com: http://www.education.com/reference/article/what-impact-technology-learning/