Technology Essay -- essays research papers

Providing Representations in Multiple Modalities Mathematica software enables students to see a graphical representation of any function. By changing equations or using different values for variables, students develop a deeper understanding of mathematics by viewing changes in the graphical representations. A key understanding in pharmacy education is that the action of drugs depends on the "fit" between particular molecules in the body and the molecular structure of drugs, in a kind of "lock and key" relationship. However, students often have difficulty visualizing molecules as three-dimensional objects. A pharmacy professor uses molecular modeling software to create self-paced assignments which require students to manipulate molecules, developing visualizing ability and understanding of drug-receptor relationships. (Contact: Dr. Marc Harrold) Drilling Students on Basic Concepts to Reach Mastery Software tutorials exist for many modern languages, enabling students to learn basic grammar through self-paced learning, exercises, and tests with feedback about their performance. HyperMap provides students with practice in interpreting geological maps. The software presents a series of regional maps with dominantly planar contacts, then asks students a series of interpretive questions on three-dimensional geology and geologic evolution of the region, providing immediate feedback on right and wrong answers. (Contact: Intellimation 1-800-368-6868) Facilitating Collaborative Activity among Students Classrooms of networked computers using software such as Daedalus enable students to spend class time doing group pre-writing exercises, electronically discussing controversial questions, and peer reviewing one another's writing. A computer conference is established among students enrolled in strategic management courses in Korea, Egypt, Finland, and the United States. Students discuss topics specified by the instructors, such as advertising and the environment. They also complete a team project such as finding a solution to a real-world environmental problem, with each team including students from each country. Seeing Interconnections among Concepts Victorian Web presents text and images of Victorian England. Students can explore how the social context, economics, religion, philosophy, visual arts, and literature of the period might be inte... ...ology. Why Use Instructional Technology? Students can be actively engaged in learning, leading to greater time on task and greater depth of knowledge Student learning can emphasize continuous improvement of a piece of work, a concept sometimes called "D.I.A.T." or Doing It Again Thoughtfully (Steven Ehrmann, final report of Project Flashlight) Students can work more collaboratively with one another Students can be given more practice with feedback Students can examine their existing conceptions and update or modify Learning materials can be provided to match the learning style of the learner Self-paced learning may be possible, with study and practice until the student reaches his/her "personal best" Classroom dialogue can extend beyond the time and space constraints of class time Students can learn by working on complex, open-ended, realistic (or real-world) tasks Faculty can restructure their role, using individual and peer-group work or technology for some purposes, thereby freeing time to make their unique contribution to student learning Perhaps most importantly, faculty find rethinking their teaching an energizing and regenerative experience!