Technology in the Classroom: A View from the Trenchant Trenches.

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Technology in the Classroom: A View from the Trenchant Trenches

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Technology in the Classroom: A View from the Trenchant Trenches – Am I in a Groove?Or just a Rut?

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Technology in the Classroom

Key Example: Color draws the eye, and directs the attention of the viewer. We want this in the classroom.

So, today we show a new technology for including color in our lectures:

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Technology in the Classroom

This example alludes to one key principle: Just because it is new, does not mean it is better.

Chalk has worked well for a long time. In some ways, it is still best at what it does.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Technology in the Classroom

Why am I giving this talk today?

It is dangerous to set oneself up as an expert. What credentials do I have in this area?

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston Goal of this Talk

My goal is to talk about some of the principles of teaching.

Second, I want to talk about and how technology might help us with these teaching principles.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston Goal of this Talk

My goal is to talk about some of the principles of teaching.

Second, I want to talk about and how technology might help us with these teaching principles.

Some, not all.

Might, or might not.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston Does Any of this Matter?

Does any of this matter? That is, with the advent of distance education and online courses, who cares about technology in the classroom?

According to John Lienhard, a similar crisis appeared to face academics after Gutenberg. With knowledge easily available through books, which had become cheap and plentiful (relatively speaking), it was thought that teachers and classes would no longer be needed.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston Yes, I Think it Matters

Does any of this matter? That is, with the advent of distance education and online courses, who cares about technology in the classroom?

According to John Lienhard, a similar crisis appeared to face academics after Gutenberg. With knowledge easily available through books, which had become cheap and plentiful (relatively speaking), it was thought that teachers and classes would no longer be needed. As I look at the typical capability for self-education among our students, I would argue that we still have job security in the internet age.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Principles of Classroom TeachingOK, so what are these Principles of

Classroom Teaching?1) The student’s attention span is limited.2) Students learn, in part, by imitating

modeled behavior.3) Students can only learn a limited amount

in a limited time.4) Developing useful classroom

technology tools can take a lot of time.

Some

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

The student’s attention span is limited.

As a result teachers should try to attract and hold their attention, on the issues that matter. We can use

Color!Be careful not to use it in ways that distract from your point.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

The student’s attention span is limited.

As a result teachers should try to attract and hold their attention, on the issues that matter. We can use

Motion!Be careful not to use it in ways that distract from your point.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

The student’s attention span is limited.

As a result teachers should try to attract and hold their attention, on the issues that matter. We can use

Humor!Like any other powerful tool, humor should be used carefully!

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

The student’s attention span is limited.

As a result teachers should try to attract and hold their attention, on the issues that matter. We can use

Significance!Students can sometimes be induced to pay attention to things that actually matter.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

The student’s attention span is limited.

As a result teachers should try to attract and hold their attention, on the issues that matter. We can use

Sound and Music!Students sometimes pay more attention if you can work in music to make your point.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Students learn, in part, by imitating modeled behavior.

As a result, teachers should try to show how to do things.

In my classes, this means showing how to approach or attack a problem.

This is one situation that, for me, means that I have to use an overhead projector for some things. Many technologies have their strengths. We should use them for their strengths.

This guy is facing the wrong way!

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Students can only learn a limited amount in a limited time.

As a result, teachers should limit how much information is presented in class. Technology can tempt us to present too much too fast.

This seems obvious, but can seem paradoxical.

By attempting to eat less apple, I eat more apple.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Developing useful classroom technology tools can take a lot of time.

This may be the most important thing to know. If you have tried this you know.

There is a useful, scientific principle involved in planning how long something will take to develop. The steps are:

1) Make a guess about the longest period of time it could possibly take you to develop something.

2) Take that time, and multiply by .

3) That’s how long it will take.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Guidelines from the TrenchesHere are some of my hints, that I learned by

making mistakes.1) Adopt new technologies carefully, thinking

about whether it helps you teach.a) I adopted computer projectors too early, when

they were too dim and hard to set up.b) If possible, own your own laptop. It saves a

lot of time.c) Try to take control of display technology. Own

it if you can. Get the keys if you can’t.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Guidelines from the TrenchesHere are some of my hints, that I learned by

making mistakes.1) Adopt new technologies carefully, thinking

about whether it helps you teach.2) Try things, and test them out.

a) If they don’t work, don’t use them, even if they are really neat. I seldom obey this rule, but I should.

b) Mix technologies, using the things that work, where they work.

December 9, 2002

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Guidelines from the TrenchesHere are some of my hints, that I learned by making

mistakes.

1) Adopt new technologies carefully, thinking about whether it helps you teach.

2) Try things, and test them out.

3) If possible, adopt the technology that your students use.

a) It is better if you can see and hear, the exact things your students see and hear.

b) This has been painful to me. For example:

i. Mac vs PC.

ii. HP calculators vs TI calculators.

Dave ShattuckUniversity of Houston

Technology in the Classroom: A View from the Trenchant Trenches – Am I in a Groove?Or just a Rut?

And the answer is:This is fun and groovy, so I’m in a groove.I’m locked into it, so it is clear I am in a rut.

So, I am in a groovy rut.