Teaching with Technology

There are two aspects of teaching with technology. The first one has to do with enhancing communication and the second one with enhancing learning. Enhancing communication includes increasing accessibility in the classroom (microphones, projectors to assist the delivery of the message) and accessibility of resources outside the classroom (peers and teacher-student communication; materials; rubrics; timely access to grades, etc). We achieve learning enhancement through technology by engaging the student (e.g. with versatile activities/materials); adapting to different paces and personal needs (e.g. discussion boards open for several days); being, as teacher, present outside the classroom; giving meaningful and durable feedback; providing a platform for collaborative work (e.g. shared online documents to edit; conferences software, etc); staying organized (e.g. shared course calendars), etc.

However, there are some risks while teaching with technologies. To avoid them:

• Know your students. Accessibility in online teaching and online tools
• Emphasize integrity behaviours and policies
• Promote organization vs distraction in technology

Technology in the classroom

• Presentation equipment (PCs, projectors, audiovisual enhancement systems etc)
• Online interaction devices (electronic blackboards, groupal response devices etc)

• Achievement & feedback in weekly quizzes about 1) contents that remain unclear, 2) what they like the most and 3) what they have learnt
• Include items related with the use of technologies in the students ratings of teaching effectiveness and midterm questionnaire
• Follow performance of individuals, the performance of a class and between classes, in each online and face to activity. Compare progression.