| areas: | Universities and Higher Education; Company and Workforce Training |
| issues: | Technology-Pedagogy Interface |
| aspects: | virtual; social; cultural |
is to ponder over education institutions,
to question the existence of current educational systems,
and to let imagination fly away
to create new education environments,
and, above, all, new paradigms for social interaction.
Abstract
Based on various researches, we acknowledge that there are no special models for distance education or computer-based education that can indeed satisfy the needs of both professors and students. This lack has made necessary the development of a media combination, which is appropriate to the student’s and instructor’s characteristics, the teaching targets, the environment, the strategies and the availability of resources.
This paper seeks to introduce ITAM’s current proposal to connect the different needs and profiles of students and professors, with the primary objective of implementing computerbased education, which empowers the abilities of the different participants in the learning process, while at the same time, integrates technologies and traditional education models.
It seems as we go deeper into the world of technology, the establishment of pedagogical models is left on a secondary position next to the endless technical possibilities. Tools are being built, systems programmed, Web sites created, but no communication among the student, the professor and the environment is being established. In this sense, a strategy designed to promote active participation and to create an apprentice community becomes necessary.
Considering the above, the question is not “Which is the most suitable or better technology?” but “What is the most adequate way of integrating it?”
Analyzing the aspects technology must contain to efficiently support education, and considering some of the main needs of students within the new educational model, we are aware that no technology on its own, satisfies correctly every aspect of the educational process. Nevertheless, by integrating different technologies and education models designed for each particular subject, the weaknesses of one of them should be fortified by another’s strengths.