Section 1:
Introduction
Section 1:
Introduction
“ Learning From” and“ Learning With” Media and Technology.....................................................
There are two major approaches to using media and technology in schools: students can learn“ from” media and technology, and they can learn“ with” media and technology( Jonassen & Reeves, 1996). Learning“ from” media and technology is often referred to in terms such as instructional television, computerbased instruction, or integrated learning systems( Hannafin, Hannafin, Hooper, Rieber, & Kini, 1996; Seels, Berry, Fullerton, & Horn, 1996). Learning“ with” technology, less widespread than the“ from” approach, is referred to in terms such as cognitive tools( Jonassen & Reeves, 1996) and constructivist learning environments( Wilson, 1996).
Regardless of the approach, media and technology have been introduced into schools because it is believed that they can have positive effects on teaching and learning. The purpose of this report is to summarize the evidence for the effectiveness and impact of media and technology in schools around the world.( A limitation of this report is that the vast majority of the published research on the effectiveness of media and technology in schools was conducted in Englishspeaking countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.) Research studies concerning the impact of these different approaches will be presented in the next two sections of this report. But first, it is necessary to clarify what is meant by the terms“ media” and“ technology” within the context of education.
The Challenge of Defining Media and Technology
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Media has many definitions ranging from“ a particular form of communication” as in“ print versus video” to“ the industry that provides news and entertainment” as in“ the media.” For the purposes of this report, media is defined as“ all means of communication, whatever its format”( Reid, 1994, p. 51). In this sense, media include symbol systems as diverse as print, graphics, animation, audio, and motion pictures.
Similarly, technology has many definitions ranging from“ the application of the scientific method to solve problems as in‘ the technology of space exploration’” to“ the things or processes which embody knowledge or craft within a culture as in‘ the technology of writing’.” Within this report, technology is defined as“ any object or process of human origin that can be used to convey media.” In this sense, technology includes phenomena as diverse as books, films, television, and the Internet.
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