Module 5 - Technoloy & Media in Distance Learning

There are several multimedia technological resources available for distance learners and for instructors.  The article written by McGreal and Elliott (2008) offers suggestions for the use of the multimedia in an instructional setting. Moller (2008) states that dynamic tools: “involve learner on a much deeper level” (pp.1). I have experience a great deal of dynamic technology in my online courses.  I have used wikis, blogs, video conferences and social networks in communicating and developing an understanding of the content.  The static technology is the form I used early on in my post education experience online.  I used textbooks, watched videos, used chat rooms and listen to cd lectures.   I believe as Moller (2008) states that static technologies allow learner “to capture information,” and it has becomes popular because they “mimic traditional environment” (pp.1), a zone of comfort for many educators.  I further believe as Moller goes on to state “technology can be conceptualized along a continuum of static to dynamic” (pp.1).

Reference

McGreal, R. & Elliott , M.,(2008). Technologies of Online Learning (E-Learning). The theory and practice of online learning (T. Anderson, Ed.). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.

Moller, L. (2008). Static and dynamic technological tools. [Unpublished Paper].