--- Forwarded Message from Ursula Williams <[log in to unmask]> ---

>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 15:12:19 -0500
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum               <[log in to unmask]>
>From: Ursula Williams <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #5296 Technology and Enhanced Student Learning

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One problem, Cindy, is that we don't really know how to measure learning.
Or, more precisely we don't know how to measure "enhanced learning." Better
grade on the test? Perhaps. But this raises a multitude of questions about
the test. One of the problems is that no two teachers teach the same way,
so it's difficult to set up test groups. And who wants to be in the control
group? Who wants to be the teacher whose students might be outperformed?
And then there's the Hawthorne effect, which I feel sure will be a factor
in any situation where learning performance is being measured. It's a large
can of worms. I think rather than trying to measure learning per se, it
might be a good idea to look at engagement of students in the process of
learning. I think there is little doubt that technology enhances
engagement, and also learning, once we figure out how to measure it.

There is still a place for what we like to call the "inspired lecture,"
with no technology. In fact, it probably can't be replaced. In experiences
I have had at Notre Dame, though, there is a definitely an increase in the
engagement of students where there is inspired use of technology. A hundred
words of text on a Powerpoint slide don't count as part of this phenomenon.

To conclude, maybe the best measure of enhanced learning is Teacher/Course
Evaluations. Students usually are willing to say "I feel I really learned a
lot in this class."

Ursula




>--- Forwarded Message from "Jorth, Cindy" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
>>From: "Jorth, Cindy" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: "'LLTI-Editor'" <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: Technology and Enhanced Student Learning
>>Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 15:56:20 -0800
>
>Hello all,
>
>I have been asked to answer the following question from the Provost.
>
>        "How have instructors integrated technology into their teaching, and
>does the use of         technology enhance student learning?"   I.e. Whether
>or not the use of the technology
>        enhances student learning in some measurable and discernable way.
>
>The first half of the question is easy enough, it's the second half that
>gets murky.  As we all know, there's still much research still needed to
>actually correlate technology with improved student learning.  Any ideas on
>where I could start with this?  I've been asked to make this determination
>for the entire College of Humanities and Fine Arts, not just for my
>Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Cindy