Discussion - Week 7

Our increasing use of technology enhances students’ appreciation of the natural world.

Do you agree or disagree?

“The key word in our discussion will be "enhance". Any additional way to bring immediacy and more information to students has to enhance learning doesn't it? The author states, "The Internet has opened up new vistas as students now have access to places and experiences they might otherwise never encounter (Jonassen 2003, p. 60). “ - Gail Y.

“…I can't see how such a virtual experience cannot enhance the learning and increase the awareness. …in my "world", VR are used to teach different topics such as driving skills, investigating, searching rooms for clues, search and rescue, etc. This is nevertheless a pretty amazing instructional tool.” - Margot D.

“In cases where it is not possible for the student to travel to the location due to physical, financial, family, or time constraints, technology might be used to provide the student's entire experience. Instead of just supplementing the student's experience, technology can be used to provide the experience to those who otherwise would not have access to it.” - Jody B.

“Technology allows us to explore this wonderful connection on a global scale and maybe even beyond. It brings opportunities for us to explore things that we might not otherwise have. It doesn't take us away from the natural world; it brings a larger one to us. In doing this, it allows us to truly develop that sense of wonder and appreciation for this amazing world in which we live. Personally, technology has changed my attitudes towards not only the world, but also my role in it.” - Karen K.

“Using multimedia learning as a way to deliver your information gives the students the "value added”. These value added are:
1. Hard skills (math, reading, and problem solving skills mastered at a higher level than previously expected of high school graduates).
2. Soft skills (the ability to work in a group and to make effective oral and written presentations).
3. The ability to use a personal computer to carry out routine tasks such as word processing, data management, and creating multimedia presentations." - Ken K.

"Students that have access to a world class zoo and take several field trips to view exotic animals to the point of boredom will most likely have a similar lack of appreciation as with the kids that whizzed through the web sites. Preparation for the experience, focusing the experience, and following up the experience with meaningful and relevant dialogue is a necessary criterion of either experience." - Collene A.

“…we are unwittingly tampering with developing mind and behaviour patterns that have biological bases deeply embedded in the natural world. What we may actually be doing is desensitizing our students to nature. [We] need to teach students to use technology sparingly, appropriately and to support and balance their lives...before such positive outcomes will be assured.” - Mike B.

“Instant gratification is the norm in the world of technology, where students are accustomed to a bigger, better, more fantastic world than that in which they live… If I am able to see fifty-seven species of animal in half an hour on the Internet, I am hardly gaining an appreciation of nature...Reality takes time. Decreases in attention spans result from the sophisticated media.” - Chael W.

“To rely on technology to elicit appreciation on any topic is misguided. Technology allows the students to view ideas in isolation without any risk, emotional link or appreciation of the reality. It enables them to come up with faulty, sometimes arrogant, conclusions…Computer virtual reality may be interesting and entertaining, but just like TV the experience is highly forgettable.” - Ivan M.

“It’s impossible to know what slant to take when presenting a virtual tour. If we agree that students need to construct their own meaning to make it worthwhile then I don’t think it’s worthwhile to engage in virtual tours…the developer of the virtual tours cannot expect to capture all the details of the event…But it may be the detail that changes a person’s life forever!” - Kevin D.

“To fully understand and appreciate nature one must experience it, all aspects of it. Technology simply cannot achieve that. I fear that technology offers educators a way out of organizing/utilizing natural experiences.” - Diane C.

It seems the interpretation of the word "enhance" was the topic of debate. VR bring information that is "just in time". It can be accessed when we want it and where we want it. It does not require much preparation as a real field trip. The instant gratification that was alluded to conjures that this form of instruction results in a lack of appreciation of the experience. Roland B. says "these experiences can only give certain elements of the real thing." "In many cases, they are used as an inadequate substitute for the actual experience" (Crystal G.). Steve Y. noted that "virtual tours provide a very limited, one-dimensional, and at times inaccurate, perspective as well as creating a sterile, lifeless environment."

Roland B. argued that "even though the experiences can only give certain elements of the real thing, it does, however, offer the chance to those who would not normally get these opportunities.” Moreover, “according to Carl Rogers, learning is facilitated when:
1) The student participates completely in the learning process and has control over its nature and direction.
2) It is primarily based upon direct confrontation with practical, social, personal, or research problems.
3) Self-evaluation is the principal method of assessing progress or success. He also emphasizes the importance of learning to learn and an openness to change.”

Jonassen explains there are similarites to virtual expeditions and real life field trips. Jonassen (2003, p. 62) says that virtual expeditions require active participation where students are required to interact with one another. This takes them out of the drudgery of everyday classroom life and into a world that is exciting and real. The advantages with virtual expeditions are that they can be repeated over and over again at their own pace. It allows travel to the most remote places in the world yet it is in a contained and safe space. With this type of travel, there are often more than one expert resource that can be tapped.

Both sides agreed that as with any instructional design "VR / simulation experience is only as good as the purpose it was used for, the context it is set in, and the teaching / debriefing that goes with it (Melina A.).” Gail Y. adds, "technology is not the focus; it is a tool to be used effectively and appropriately to supplement instruction. Jonassen (2003, p. 65) contends that the real benefit of "student learning with technology are in higher learning skill and understanding of complex processes." This was not pointed out in our discussion.

The real issue in a contemporary education system usually comes down to dollars and cents. It is well know that the resource allocated to a teacher is limited. Therefore, the teacher must use everything in his power to create a positive learning experience for the class. This might be a VR experience if the technology is available or a live field trip if their are enough funds and / or drivers. However, the learning experience in both cases will be beneficial if it is purposeful and is contructivist in its approach.

What is the Value of Virtual Reality for Conceptual Learning? Towards a Theoretical Framework - Denise Whitelock, Paul Brna, and Simon Holland

A Virtual Learning Environment – Noah Niggs

Virtual Environments for Education, Research and Life – Daniel Schneider

The Given and the Made: Authenticity and Nature in Virtual Education – Lee Herman and Alan Mandell

A Framework for Pedagogical Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments – Sandy Britain and Oleg Liber

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Moore, J., Marra, R. (2003). Learning to Solve Problems with Technology: A Constructivist Perspective. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. (Chapter 8)

Norton, P. & Wiburg, K. (2003). Teaching With Technology. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace. (Chapter 8)