Improved Teaching: Principles and Technological Tools

The American Association for Higher Education (AAHE), published the "Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education" in 1987. The principles, created by Art Chickering and Zelda Gamson, are based on decades of research on the undergraduate experience and include the following key practices to improving teaching and learning:

1. Encourage contact between students and faculty.

2. Develop cooperation among students.

3. Use active learning techniques.

4. Provide prompt feedback.

5. Emphasize time on task.

6. Communicate high expectations.

7. Respect diverse talents and ways of learning.

How is the use of technologies in higher education, which has become widespread in the last ten years, consistent with these seven principles? That was one of the questions addressed by Dr. Stephen Ehrmann of the AAHE during his UWired-sponsored visit to campus earlier this year. For a discussion of each of the principles and how they apply to the new educational technologies, read "Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever" by Arthur Chickering and Stephen Ehrmann on the Web at www.aahe.org/technology/ehrmann.htm

Two of Ehrmann's other papers on the topic of technology and teaching also can be found on the Web:

• While with the Annenberg/CPB Project, Ehrmann wrote a paper that discusses how we can use technology for learning: "Asking the Right Questions: What Does Research Tell Us About Technology and Higher Learning?" (www.georgetown.edu/crossroads/guide/ehrmann.html)

• The Flashlight Project is an AAHE effort to develop a practical approach and toolkit for institutions to evaluate and direct the use of educational technologies. So named, says Ehrmann, because "large-scale changes are about as easy to see as an elephant in a dark room," it focuses on surveys and evaluation tools. Information on the project can be found in his paper: "The Flashlight Project: Spotting an Elephant in the Dark" (www.aahe.org/technology/elephant.htm)