Finding the Right Tool for the Task -- Four Categories of Technology Use

We believe that one path towards simplification lies in the identification of different categories of technology that can be broadly said to support different classroom strategies. While by no means exclusive, this categorical identification helps illustrate the point that not every strategy can be supported by any or every technology. More specifically, you need a variety of tools to accomplish the variety of objectives associated with a given curriculum. No single piece of software or hardware can be expected to address all of your classroom needs. Sorting educational technology by category of use is a step toward learning how to apply the right technology tool towards a given task

• Tutorial Technology
• Application Uses of Technology
• Exploratory Technology
• Communications Technology

Tutorial Technology

Tutorial technologies are those which support the transmission of information from source to student. The technology itself might be a software application which presents questions, allows time for answer, and offers corrections or rewards for the "right" or "wrong" response. Often tutorial technologies present their lessons accompanied by a variety of multimedia. Tutorial technologies are useful for the development and reinforcement of basic skills. Thus, it is not surprising that tutorial technologies are often found in lower grades (and in remediation programs at higher grades) and are used to support skills such as spelling, grammar, vocabulary development, and basic function mathematics.

• Drill and practice "games" such as MathBlaster series.
• Integrated Learning Systems (in their most common, one student per computer, use)
• Computer-based-training and testing  

See the software selection and evaluation section of our web resources for links to educational software publishers.

Application Uses of Technology

"Application" technologies include tools such as word processors, spread sheet programs, database applications, and other data collection/manipulation/analysis programs. The operative term is tool, since applications such as those above have no content in and of themselves. For example, a word processor may be used at all grade levels and in every subject. The application use of technology is an interim, or process, step toward achieving an instructional goal.

• Integrated packages such as Appleworks and Microsoft Works and word processors
• Excel, and other spreadsheet programs
• TimeLiner (as an information organization and presentation tool)
• HyperStudio, KidPix Studio, Digital Chisel, and other multimedia packages
• Multimedia encyclopedias such as Microsoft Encarta and Grolliers
• World Wide Web and student research

See our web resources for links to word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet projects.

Exploratory Technology

Exploratory technology combines some content with a particular delivery strategy to encourage students to explore a subject and construct their own knowledge. The majority of exploratory technology applications are open ended and can produce a variety of narrative outcomes. The primary goal when using an exploratory technology is not to get the "right or wrong answer" but rather to use the technology to engage with a subject and derive meaning from that engagement. Exploratory technologies are often used to facilitate student cooperation, critical thinking, and group problem solving.

• Simulations such as Sim City and Sim Earth
• Life and physical science simulations
• Simulated "journeys" such as Oregon Trail
• Role-playing, group problem solving, packages such as The Great Ocean Rescue, Decisions Decisions, and Rainforest Researchers
• Multimedia encyclopedias such as Microsoft Encarta and Grolliers
• WorldWideWeb searching and student research

See the software selection and evaluation section of our web resources for links to educational software publishers.

Communications Technology

"Communications technology" describes those uses of telecommunications which support teaching and learning. Communications technology can be used in any of the three modes/categories discussed above (tutorial, application, and exploratory). Often, communications is used in an exploratory mode to facilitate student collaboration and research across great distance. As with the "application" category, communications technology is a tool which in itself is content neutral. On the other hand, the use of this tool can enable the teaching of certain content and the fulfillment of certain learning goals that would otherwise be more difficult if not impossible.

• Electronic mail (student-to-student, student-to-"scientist", etc.)
• Collaborative, on-line, projects such as The Journey North.
• Teleconferencing (CUSeeME, satellite, compressed video, etc.)
• WorldWideWeb searching and student research
• Student publishing on the WorldWideWeb

See our web resources for links to web and email projects.

For more information on this topic, please read about our new publication, Click on Success! .

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