Yes - I've viewed this debate with much interest and in some cases
much alarm........

learning technology is a process not a plug in - get the pedgagogy
technology/culture right as a balance...its how you use it not using
it per se as my old friend Bob seemed to be devils advocating to
begin with....

Bernard


On 14 Dec 2000, at 14:39, Jenny Ure wrote:

> Bob
> I take a different perspective from yours as expressed in the reply to David.
>
> >How can you ask this question when there is quite evidently a wealth of
> >publications demonstrating the 'learning gain'  which are widely available.
> >You only have to go to emerald and access a whole host of articles on-line
> >which will provide support for these findings. Your note, by the way,
> >contains a contradiction, partial course delivery usually includes face to
> >face.>I am amazed that there are STILL academics/managers (sceptics?) who
> require
> >concrete data!
>
> I actually think you can only ask about the effectiveness of the USE of
> learning technology to meet students needs. Effectiveness in teaching and
> learning is not a function of the techology itself. The same technology,
> can be used to help or hinder learning, depending on how it is used.
>
> You would not ask whether paper and pencil technology is associated with
> learning gain in the research?  The research Icame across had very mixed
> views, and was usually very context specific - too much so to make
> generalizations.
>
>
> Original message
>
> >Bob McClelland
> >Reader in Educational Technology
> >Liverpool JMU
> >mailto:[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: David Anderson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> >Sent: 11 December 2000 11:58
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Help needed - effectiveness of learning technology?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Apologies for any cross-posting...
> >
> >I've been asked for 'concrete' (valid/reliable) data that show tangible
> >'learning gain' through using on-line learning, multimedia, www for whole or
> >partial course delivery (as opposed to face to face methods). I have my own
> >doubts on the validity of the question, but any links to studies that may
> >shed some light would be gratefully received. Many thanks in anticipation
> >
> >David N Anderson
> >Professional Development Advisor
> >Centre for Staff and Academic Practice Development
> >Aston University
> >[log in to unmask] <http:///>   <http:///>
> >
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Jenny Ure
> NetCulture Regional Co-ordinator
> Centre for Land Use and Environmental Sciences (CLUES)
> MacRobert Building
> University of Aberdeen
> Aberdeen  AB24 5UA  UK
>
> tel: 01224 273754
> fax: 01224 273752
> email: [log in to unmask]
> web: http://netculture.scotcit.ac.uk
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>


Bernard Lisewski
Staff and Curriculum Development
Education Development Unit
Statham Building
Statham Street
University of Salford
Salford
Greater Manchester
M5 4WT
0161-295-2573