The Impact of Technology and Multimedia

1. What impact does technology and multimedia have on online learning environments?

Technology and multimedia is an important part of our everyday lives.  We use technology when making a purchase at the grocery store, paying bills, and communicating online with friends and relatives using Facebook, technology has totally integrated into our everyday lives. 

So how has technology influenced online learning environments?  Learning in an online environment can bring out the best in some learners who normally may be too shy to contribute in a typical face-to-face classroom. The technology and software that is available can create social relationships between learners and stifle the creation of a learning community in a classroom (Conrad & Donaldson, 2011). Technological advances have made learning at a distance much easier without technology distance learning would be more difficult.  

The great thing about technology is that it allows today’s students to learn asynchronously or synchronously within the online learning environment. These advances in technology have provided students with the ability to customize their learning to their needs and have a greater chance of success within the online learning environment. 

2. What are the most important considerations an online instructor should make before implementing technology? 

As an instructor, the most important considerations must be that the technology chosen must meet the needs of the learners and the educational objectives that need to be accomplished. There is a lot of technology out there that can be flashy, but just because we have it does not always mean that we have to use it. Sometimes the simplest approach is the best approach.   Meeting the needs of learners means to establish a learning community that supports learners with confidence to work together and provide a clear direction that enables learners to take charge of their own learning (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).

It is vital for an instructor to know the skill levels of their learners. If an instructor forces new technology that is too difficult for learners to learn in a fixed amount of time, the learner may become frustrated with their online work. It’s important for instructors to only introduce one new technology at a time; introducing more can become very overwhelming to students (Boettcher & Conrad, 2010).

3. What implications do usability and accessibility of technology tools have for online learning?

As with everything there can be drawbacks, using technology tools in an online environment is no different. Instructors need to be aware of the different tools that help to make learning possible for all students. It is also important that the instructor take into consideration that many times technology does fail, and they should communicate alternative options for students in case the technology should not work properly. 

4. What technology tools are most appealing to you for online teaching as you move forward in your career in instructional design? 

The technology tools that appeal to me in an online environment are definitely communication tools such emails, video conferencing, and chat tools. I feel that it is vitally important to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with your learners. Discussion boards, wiki’s, and Google docs are also collaborative tools that I find effective in the online environment. Using collaborative tools allows students to be able to learn from one another and work together on group assignments. 

I have learned the value of social learning, and how to create a learning community online since I started working towards my degree in instructional design and technology. Through careful direction by the instructor in the beginning, through “getting acquainted” activities, graded use of discussion forums and prompt feedback,  I have experienced first-hand how technology and effective communication plays an important part in online education.

References

Boettcher, J., & Conrad , R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint.

Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. (2011). Engaing the online learner. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint.