It's a T.E.A.M (Technology, Education, Applications and Microworld learning
environments) Effort to Integrate Technology Into Teaching and Learning
I enjoyed Steven Stahl’s Commentary article, "Bringing Old Ideas to New Times:
Learning Theories of Kurt Lewin Applied to Distance Education" (March 1999). Many theories can come
into play regarding technology use, but all too often
"thinking-oriented" theories and research (affective, cognitive, psychomotor)
are not integrated with technology. For the most part, educators see technology
utilization as an entity separate from the business of teaching the "regular"
curriculum. It is not an easy task to integrate technology into the classroom's teaching
and learning activities.
Stahl points to several factors that prohibit the meaningful use of technology. He
states, for example, that "all too often . . . instructors fail to trust students to
learn anything not explicitly stated by the instructor." Time constraints and the
need to accomplish tasks on deadline are partially responsible for this mistrust; but also
important is the fact that educators are expected to guide the instruction toward a
prescribed end, so that students can be tested for grades and/or prepared for
curriculum-based exams that are largely memory- and fact-based. Educational institutions
still favor learning that is easy to test and measure. Constructivist, experiential-based
learning is not so easily defined.
Stahl also argues that "Instruction must be planned with a clear vision." What
he does not point out, however, is that the development of a "clear" vision is
complicated when education involves the use of computers and technology, especially higher
level thinking-oriented software (i.e., simulations, modeling, multimedia authoring
systems, HTML, and web authoring programs). With technology-enhanced learning, students
find that there are many means of accomplishing their tasks—and that those tasks need
not necessarily be approached in one particular order or way. The nature of computer use,
which allows students to work at their own pace, does not lend itself to neat, clean,
"scaffolding" activities. Even today's information superhighway confuses this
"clear vision" and planning. With the Internet as well as higher level thinking
software (i.e., Simcity 2000, Carmen San Diego series and others), there are too many
places to "go" and gather information.
Students are accustomed to "surfing" the Internet—but not to surfing for
a specific purpose. Internet based tasks frequently focus upon "gathering"
information for a report/project or upon discovery-based "surfing" without
guidance or the use of search engines. The focus should be upon the process of
"finding" rather than "gathering." Students are not used to developing
a better understanding of new ideas, understanding complex questions, or using the
Internet-based opportunities enhancing learning through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic
browsing. Many educators themselves are new to the Internet and do not understand, let
alone teach their students, the process of using it effectively. Educators who are not
trained in managing wide-ranging exploration, but who are under pressure to use the
Internet tell students, "Just find what you can," or " Look for
information on ____." Unless students are guided purposefully or learn to use
search engine tools, they are usually unsuccessful in their searches. And the same is true
for using simulations (and other types of higher level thinking software) in which the
object is to make cities, create planets, or develop successful machines or ecosystems.
Moreover, as Stahl mentions, the prevalent feeling is that computer use should be fun and
should not relate to "work" or learning. Keeping activities enjoyable, exciting,
and agreeable sometimes takes precedence over using technology in meaningful ways. Many
times technology is used as a "side show" after the "main" work is
finished. If the students are engaged with the
technology, they should be learning; but, as I have seen in my research, this is not
necessarily the case.
Stahl applies "old" learning theories to four main areas which I characterize in my dissertation and research as: technology, education, applications, and microworld learning environments (Flesher 1997). The emphasis today is most often on the first part—technology. For educators, parents, administrators, and students, the first task is learning how to use the technology hardware and/or software. But to transform classrooms through the infusion of technology, significant attention must also be paid to establishing opportunities to learn, practice, and use the other three: education, applications, and microworld learning environments. It is crucial that theories, research, and activities associated with these areas also be integrated into the classroom.
An example of this integration is one of my student's endeavors. She is
learning how to use Hyperstudio for the
first time (technology). We use Hyperstudio's complex tools while integrating
new-found knowledge on her selected research topic, volcanoes (education). She is
exploring books and resources from the library and then applying the information
(applications) to produce her own personal "stack" program. In this (created
microworld learning) environment, we are working together to transform the information
into her own original piece of work—a multimedia learning world complete with sound,
artwork, and much more. We start in the library to find basic information, then use the
Internet to find more advanced and current resources on volcanoes in the world and recent
eruptions (sometimes we are able to view these events on line, with videotapes and other
visual resources). We discuss ways to develop the information and transform it—not
only for her use, but also as a tool for communicating with others.
While it is her stack, the created ideas evolving in the stack are modified with my
guidance. My student and I share and debate ways to make the information clearer, not only
with words, but also with pictures and even sound. I have found (by giving teacher
training workshops in Hyperstudio) that these methods work as well with educators as with
students. Even as teachers become students of technology, students become teachers for
others; in the process, all develop and take more responsibility for their own learning
capacities. Hyperstudio could be substituted with web page authoring, the use of modeling
languages or programming (i.e., Basic, LOGO, Stella), or the use of simulations like
Simcity2000, SimLife, SimFarm, and others. Science is not the only domain to which these
teaching tools apply. My students have produced stacks dealing with the Titanic, the
Holocaust, Egypt, and other topics.
Stahl explores the complexity of technology use. It is important that technology be
combined with other factors to make possible a truly effective enhancement of teaching and
learning. Taking into account all these factors is a multifaceted T.E.A.M. (Technology,
Education, Applications and Microworld learning environments) effort. This is not just the
educator's domain, but also that of students, administrators, parents, and all involved
with the educational process. In many schools districts, technological,
experiential-oriented learning endeavors are taking place. These districts have
found ways for the various groups to cooperatively use the four facets of learning
technology to promote proper technology utilization. The key will be to encourage
others who are not at this level to use technology in a fruitful way—one in which
students and educators will feel more comfortable about constructing and developing
information, with and without technology, instead of being perpetually involved in the
education process which I call "regurgitation station."
References
Flescher, E. (1997). Discovery and experiential-based learning with computer simulations.
Dissertation. University of Kansas. Dissertation Copyright Office TX 4-792-401. (PDf file
available. Contact Eric Flescher, Ed.D, at KCStarguy@aol.com)
Stahl, Steven. (March 1999). Bringing old ideas to new times: learning
principles of Kurt Lewin applied to distance education.
The Technology Source. Retrieved from the World Wide Web: /TS/commentary/1999-03.asp
Eric
Flescher, Ed.D
KCStarguy@aol.com
Gifted
education teacher, Kansas City, KS schools
Coordinator,
Project S.I.M. (Simulations, Interdisciplinary internet and Metacognitive activities)
http://members.aol.com/kcstarguy/sim/
Editor/Webmaster,
MacsU.N.I.T.E. (Macintosh Users Network for Integrating Technology into Education)