Dr Cathy Gunn
Education Technologies Adviser
Centre for Professional Development
University of Auckland
Tel #: 64 9 373 7599 ext 8354
Fax #: 64 9 373 7474
Email: ca.gunn@auckland.ac.nz

Workshop Title:
They may love it but do they learn from it? : Evaluating education technologies

Time: 9.30 am Ð 12.30

Outline
The use of technology in education has reached a stage of maturity which allows some degree of generalization about the potential benefits, the conditions under which they can be achieved, and guidelines for good instructional design. This generalization is supported by research and evaluation data which has accumulated over the past 10+ years. Evaluation of learning with technology is not an easy task though, particularly if 'classical' approaches of educational research are applied. The pseudo-scientific methods associated with this approach may gain easier acceptance in academic circles but they do not produce data which is really useful to teachers, instructional designers or educational researchers.
This workshop addresses the issues of academic credibility and a theoretical basis for evaluative research. A flexible framework for evaluating learning with multimedia and WWW technologies is presented, and participants are invited to adapt it to plan an evaluation study for their own work environments. The framework incorporates qualitative, quantitative and systematic methods, is responsive to local, contextual factors and relies on authenticity and available opportunities for evaluations. Case studies from previous applications of the framework are available for discussion. The workshop is based on the principles of active engagement and participation

Objectives

• To define an appropriate theoretical basis for evaluating learning with technology
• To apply a flexible framework for evaluation design
• To identify a range of factors contextual factors which may influence learning in technology supported environments

Intended Level of Presentation
The workshop is suitable for all academics working with, or aspiring to work with education technology. No formal knowledge of learning evaluation is assumed.

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