What factors should be taken into account when selecting instructional technologies or digital tools? by Dr. S. Willis

2024-11-20 05:45:51 UTC

How will it help students meet particular learning objectives of the course?

Is the benefit worth the time needed for students to learn how to use it?

How accessible is it to all students? (in terms of disability accessibility, but also things like general ease of use, whether it is free for students, possibly the requirements for devices or internet bandwidth needed, and so on)

gsfinch — 2024-11-20 16:25:27 UTC

Does the use of the technology/tool actually improve learning? How is it connected to assessing achievement of learning outcomes?

Is it an ethical technology? E.g. if it is AI based, is it ethically using artist's work, consuming enormous amounts of energy?

Does it increase accessibility of learning opportunities, or might it create barriers for certain students?

mdanley5 — 2024-11-20 17:14:04 UTC

What is the desired learning outcome or goal? How would implementing a new technology or tool enhance to improve student learning? How would you measure student learning after implementation (how steep is the learning curve with this tool/technology and could this negatively impact student learning)? Do these tools impact accessibility?

2024-11-20 19:19:44 UTC

Can I appropriately prepare my students to use this technology or will the technology itself be a barrier? Will students benefit from having the skill to use this technology beyond this assignment/course?

lucilagarcia3 — 2024-11-20 19:46:11 UTC

What level of experience do the students have with technology? Is there a way to make alternate assignments to students without internet access or digital sensitivities?

jmazzone4 — 2024-11-20 19:54:59 UTC

Is the technology actually adding something of value to the course?

Is the time required to teach students how to use the technology worth it?

Will students find this more challenging than using a more traditional approach to the material?

2024-11-20 20:36:01 UTC

Do your students know how to use the technology you are considering/are they able to learn how to use it in a timely manner?

Is the technology considered accessible to your students?

Have you (the instructor) truly thought about and reflected as to whether the use of this technology is relevant for the desired learning outcome?

2024-11-20 21:43:23 UTC

How this new technology will help the students and the instructor to facilitate learning and teaching (i.e., whether this new technology can save the instructor some time in grading while keeping the students' engagement level high, and how much that technology will cost for the students, etc.). and whether that new technology creates another layer of a barrier for students' learning, and how that new technology can be integrated into our current learning management system (i.e., D2L) that the university adopts.

2024-11-20 21:56:21 UTC

What would be the potential bridges and barriers to using a new technology tool?

How will learning objectives be met, and what learning strategies be used?

What are the guidelines, and will students benefit from said technology tool. I would consider having feedback options, so I can gauge how learners felt about the technology tool so I can modify it to make sure their needs are met after we try it out.

2024-11-20 22:05:34 UTC

Do YOU know how to use the technology

Are you using it just to use it, or is there a genuine gap that needs to be filled

Will the technology require addition instruction from you to use?

2024-11-20 22:32:49 UTC

Does technology fulfill a need? To answer this question there needs to be a quantifiable way to assess the outcome. If a technology is demonstratively more effective for the learning process I think this would outweigh other factors: cost, accessibility, learning curve, etc.

2024-11-20 22:50:48 UTC

Will the use of the tool increase substantial cognitive load for students? How can we minimize this cognitive load when introducing something new?

Is it realistic for all students to access it and use it?

Is the instructor able to troubleshoot when technical difficulties occur?

2024-11-25 01:28:49 UTC

Does the technology hold student interest? Is it accessible or modifiable for all students? Are students taking something out of it or able to use it in application of concepts or is it filling space (i.e., busy work)?

dylanreichert5 — 2024-12-11 01:19:28 UTC

A little late but...

Some questions to ask when integrating a new technology:

How intuitive and easy to use is the technology for both teachers and students (a baseline question everyone should ask is "does this make anything easier")?

Does it support UDL? Does it work across devices? Is it usable for those with disabilities or different learning preferences?

Does it support team-based activities and/or interaction?

Is it affordable (both during and after the class)?

Does it integrate with other tech and how?

Does it align with learning goals?