Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education

 

Date of this Version

2008

Document Type

Article

Citation

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development (2008) 26

doi: 10.3998/tia.17063888.0026.024

Comments

License: CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

This chapter examines the most common technologies used for teaching on college campuses and the most common barriers to advanced uses of technology tools. Survey results consistently show that the major barriers to incorporating technology into higher education are lack of faculty time, faculty doubts about the relevancy of technology to disciplinary learning, and inadequate technical support for faculty projects and technology uses. This chapter, then, proposes several approaches developed and assessed by the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching at the University of Michigan for removing those barriers to technology uses in higher education. Although providing flexible technology training schedules and formats helps address the problem of time, offering training that combines pedagogy and technology skills clarifies the link between technology and disciplinary knowledge acquisition. Finally, the collaborative approach to technology support enables faculty to enjoy continuous and coordinated technology support for their projects and technology uses in the classroom. This chapter also provides recommendations for supporting faculty in using technology to improve their teaching and student learning.

Share

COinS