Educational Technology: Computer-intensive

This section presents a taxonomy of educational technology applications that could play a role in integrated learning.

The outline below is far from a finished document and should be read more as some rough notes. What I've tried to do (with significant help from others, including especially Jim Levin, Scott Johnson, and Michael Waugh) is to lay out a framework for thinking about the broad array of applications of educational technology. The framework is a taxonomy of ways that computers and other new information technologies can be used to support the full range of learning. Like all such taxonomies, the boundaries between the categories are all fuzzy.

Learning in almost any subject today means not only learning the concepts within that area, but also, how to use computers in that endeavor. For example, learning science entails learning how to use computers as tools for collecting and analyzing data, for modeling phenomena, and for communicating results. For these activities, science students need experience with the technological tools scientists use. Fortunately, there is a growing body of research evidence showing that these tool uses are effective at supporting concept learning as well. Thus, the categories within the taxonomy reflect the uses of computers by professionals in various fields as well as tools for learning.

A. Tools for Inquiry

1. theory building--computers as aids to thinking

a) data modeling--defining categories, relations, representation (e.g., Tabletop)

b) procedural models (e.g., Logo)

c) mathematical models (e.g., Stella, Mathematica)

d) semantic network and outline tools

e) model exploration (e.g., Interactive Physics, STEP, ecology simulations, SimCity, SimEarth, Sampling Laboratory)

f) visualization software

g) problem-solving programs

2. data access--connecting to the world of texts, video, data

a) library access and ordering

b) both remote and local storage data bases (e.g, Oxford English Dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, census, Olympics records, Immigrants, Bushrangers)

c) music, voice, video and still images, graphics, data tables, and text

d) hypertext and hypermedia environments

3. data collection--using computers to extend the senses

a) micro-observatory: a programmable telescope with a charge- coupled device putting the Mt. Palomar observatory in the classroom

b) microcomputer-based laboratory, with sensors for temperature, motion, heart rate, etc.

c) survey makers for student-run surveys and interviews

d) video and sound recording

4. data analysis

a) spreadsheets

b) table and graph makers

c) exploratory data analysis (e.g., Statistics Workshop)

d) statistical analysis

B. Tools for Construction

1. control systems--using computers to affect the physical world

a) robotics

b) control of equipment

c) Lego Logo

2. computer-aided design

C. Tools for Communication

1. document preparation

a) word processing

b) outlining

c) graphics

d) spelling, grammar, usage, and style aids

e) symbolic expressions

f) desktop publishing

g) presentation graphics

2. communication--with other students, teachers, experts in various fields, and people around the world

a) electronic mail

b) bulletin boards

c) computer conferences (e.g., 10,000 Listserv discussion groups)

d) synchronous computer conferencing (e.g., ENFI, Interchange)

e) audio and video teleconferences

f) student-created hypertext environments (e.g., CSILE)

g) collaborative environments (e.g., Earthlab, NG Kids Network)

h) group decision support systems

D. Tools for Expression

1. drawing and painting programs

2. music making and editing

3. interactive video and hypermedia

4. animation software

E. teaching support

1. connection to other professionals

2. collaborative learning support (Search)

3. video course delivery

4. record-keeping

5. materials preparation

6. grading

7. tutoring systems (including artificial intelligence approaches-- intelligent tutoring systems)

a) appropriate problem-posing

b) monitoring of progress

c) coaching based on a model of the student

F. administration

1. connection to other professionals

2. course registration

3. publications

4. financial

5. record-keeping

6. planning and decision-making