Why use Instructional Technology?

• Students can be actively engaged in learning, leading to greater time on task and greater depth of knowledge
• Student learning can emphasize continuous improvement of a piece of work, a concept sometimes called "D.I.A.T." or Doing It Again Thoughtfully (Steven Ehrmann, final report of Project Flashlight)
• Students can work more collaboratively with one another
• Students can be given more practice with feedback
• Students can examine their existing conceptions and update or modify
• Learning materials can be provided to match the learning style of the learner
• Self-paced learning may be possible, with study and practice until the student reaches his/her "personal best"
• Classroom dialogue can extend beyond the time and space constraints of class time
• Students can learn by working on complex, open-ended, realistic (or real-world) tasks
• Faculty can restructure their role, using individual and peer-group work or technology for some purposes, thereby freeing time to make their unique contribution to student learning
• Perhaps most importantly, faculty find rethinking their teaching an energizing and regenerative experience!