Ryerson ITSDC: Teaching and Learning Technology Roundtable - Fundamental Questions

Below is a condensed version of what we call the "Fundamental Questions Task" in the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Roundtable (TLTR) Program. This is the set of questions we use most often and which I recommend most strongly as a starting place for discussions about improving teaching and learning through the integration of information technology more widely and deeply. It is the first Task in our TLTR Workbook. I include a copy of our general recommendations for leading these TLTR Tasks.

I hope you will find the Task below useful. Through it, most institutional groups find that they share some important goals and values. That result can energize efforts to extend educational uses of information technology. Alternatively, if you discover that there are significant disagreements on these important issues, it is better to learn that sooner rather than later!

Mike Yohe, a leader in academic computing, has suggested two additional important provocative questions that he would like to explore via AAHESGIT. [I'm also considering using his questions during our opening plenary session at the TLTR Summer Institute on July 12!] PLEASE HELP BY SENDING YOUR OWN ANSWERS TO YOHE'S TWO QUESTIONS DIRECTLY TO HIM AT <myohe@valpo.edu>. He has agreed to compile and summarize the results as a subsequent posting to AAHESGIT.

Yohe's 2 questions follow the Fundamental Questions Task below.) Steve Gilbert

TLTR Workbook Tasks

If time and other conditions permit, we suggest the following sequence for each of the Tasks that follow:

1. Individuals write answers to questions -- to focus their own thinking and prepare for discussion. (5-15 minutes)
2. Individuals join together in sub-groups of 2-4 participants each to compare and discuss their answers. In each sub-group, the participants should be from different institutions, or from different parts of the same institution. (10-20 minutes)
3. All individuals from the same institution join together - - one Team for each institution -- to compare their answers and try to reach consensus or understand irreconcilable differences. A Reporter/Recorder is appointed and prepares to offer a summary of the discussion results. (15-45 minutes).

Warm-Up Exercise

1. Recall one of your own most valuable learning experiences. Describe it briefly.
2. Recall one of your own most satisfying teaching experiences. Describe it briefly.

1. What do you most want to gain?
   1. For yourself?
   2. For your institution?
2. What do you most cherish and want not to lose (for your institution)?
3. What are the remaining obstacles (with respect to your answers to the questions above) and how can you reduce them?

1. What have you already gained from the increasing educational uses of information technology?
2. What have you already lost from the increasing educational uses of information technology?

Information below last updated:  4/27/97
TLTR Summer Institute -- July 11-16, 1997 Phoenix, Arizona

    Steven W. Gilbert, Director, Technology Projects
       American Association for Higher Education
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 - Copyright 1997 Steven W. Gilbert