The greatest value of instruction technology is the level of interactivity with the learner. Current technologies that involve the learner in both evaluation and synthesis of the material will provide the greatest cognitive benefit. Of all the tools available, the most abused is video. One-way video is just as passive a medium as text and the inclusion of video in the distance learning classroom does not constitute best practices. In my observation and experience, blogs are one of the last untapped tools for collaborating and creating knowledge within a community. Because blogs allow users to post ideas and then seek feedback from others, they are an invaluable tool for both developing social networks and creating a knowledge base within a community.
I do not currently teach any DE courses, though I am confident that the information I have learned will enable me to develop and facilitate online learning to incorporate dynamic media and sound constructivist approaches to my teaching methodology. I also understand that even the best website or podcast can be completely passive for the learner. Part of the challenge is to use media that compliments the instructional material and challenges the learner to synthesize knowledge and provide an evaluation of the content in an open communication forum.
Course designers and teachers alike must be careful when adopting new technologies as they may fall into the old pedagogy trap. The sage on the stage can translate into any medium and even the best graphics and sound cannot undo bad delivery. Learner-centrism is key to distance learning and as the research becomes more comprehensive I believe that F2F classrooms will adopt a more constructivist approach and utilize dynamic technology and practice.
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