Dr. Ruth Reynard

Have you had any successes with this, Angela? How is it received by students? What challenges have you experienced?

Angela, where/when specifically is memorization still required for students and how do you think it could be presented in a way that may be more appealing?

Yes, Clive, and that "immediacy" changes a lot of things for both instructor and student. As you say, many of us did not grow up with this kind of connectivity and mobile technology, however, although it might be a huge learning curve, it can add so much dynamic to the learning process for students. Can you think of some examples, Clive, where real time technology could make a difference with your students?

So how can you ensure that throughout the learning process that the learning objective is clear for your students? Is this something indicative of technology use, Clive, or simply a general challenge for good instructional design and delivery?

Yes, indeed, Clive. Can you give us some examples of how this happens? Perhaps some ways in which you have seen success in using instructional technology with your classes.

Thanks for sharing that scenario, Angela. How do you think the tablet function could benefit the students' learning experience?

Yes indeed, Robert. In addition to directing the students to good sources, it is vital that instructors help students work with the information they gather and know how to use it in real working contexts. Therefore, the instructors are needed more than ever but for specific support and guidance rather than general information presentation only. Can you think of examples where you have worked with students in this way?

Yes, John, so rather than the instructor spending time generating and distributing all information and content for a course, instructors must now focus on developing skills in students to research, locate, organize, and apply information found "out there" beyond the classroom.

So, Jacqueline, the flexibility in time and space and the flexibility in a combined environment makes the learning experience richer for the students. I agree with you and would say that both depend on effective instructional design that maximizes both contexts.

Excellent points, Steven, Therefore, using technology well to evaluate learning does not simply mean electronic tests or quizzes but actually creating environments of assessment within which students must use critical thinking skills to solve real problems.