Senior lecturer in educational technology Dr Michael Cowling warns that technology must support learning to be effective. Otherwise, it is a waste of time.
The Central Queensland University lecturer says pedagogy must come before technology.
"The technology we introduce must serve a purpose and that purpose must be to enhance learning through improving pedagogy."
Cowling is not an enemy of technology, in fact he has a background in technology and a love of computers. He says there just needs to be a focus on technology improving learning, not simply learning new technologies.
"My students love technology, but even in my classes I've realised that technology for technology's sake is a waste of time.
"Asking students to use a laptop without scaffolding doesn't work, but if you gather them around an iPad and ask them to collaborate on a diagram, then you are serving both pedagogy and their love of technology."
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The Central Queensland University lecturer says pedagogy must come before technology.
"The technology we introduce must serve a purpose and that purpose must be to enhance learning through improving pedagogy."
Cowling is not an enemy of technology, in fact he has a background in technology and a love of computers. He says there just needs to be a focus on technology improving learning, not simply learning new technologies.
"My students love technology, but even in my classes I've realised that technology for technology's sake is a waste of time.
"Asking students to use a laptop without scaffolding doesn't work, but if you gather them around an iPad and ask them to collaborate on a diagram, then you are serving both pedagogy and their love of technology."
More...