There is a distinction between technology and media. I wasn’t surprised by Tony Bates’s (2016) description of the distinction because it really just goes back to the meanings of the words. Technology can be used to communicate, but can also be a microwave. Technology is just a tool that makes life easier. Media is used to communicate. Anything you use to communicate to others is a form of media.
We use technology to set up the media we use to teach our courses. The technology just makes it possible for us to convey the information for our courses. This is evident in that we are all using different learning management systems to organize and publish our courses. I’m using Google Classroom because I can set it up easier with my course content, but others are using Canvas. When the school year starts, I will be using Schoology – not because my content and media are drastically different, but because that’s the technology my school uses to convey learning media. We could even create a learning management system of our own by creating a website. Our ePortfolios are learning management because that’s where we organize the media we’ve created to show our learning.
The media and learning tools I plan to provide fits mostly into the constructivist column on Bates’s (2016) Figure 7.7. I will have short lecture-style videos that introduce topics for students that will have formative feedback on their understanding, and simulation-style learning modules which fit more into the objectivist category. But, the materials take off from there. Students will engage weekly in a discussion forum to communicate with classmates, and I’m encouraging them to use Google as a resource to find extra learning supports. The final summative assessment will be organized somewhat like an essay or eportfolio. Students will have to create a plan for a home and a lot with a group of other students and will have to publish a proposal to the development committee, thus explaining what they’ve learned.
I want this course to be fun because learning happens when students are enjoying themselves!
References:
Bates, T. (2016). Teaching in a digital age: guidelines for designing teaching and learning. SFU Document Solutions.
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