Selecting Learning Technologies

This page helps you choose among various technologies (not just learning-management systems) using two approaches:

examples of learning outcomes, the kinds of learning activities that could achieve those outcomes, and how those activities could be supported by various learning technologies (Table 1)
examples of tools you may be interested in using and the types of activities and learning outcomes that are likely to be relevant (Table 2).

Learning outcomes x technology tools matrix

Table 1: Sample learning outcomes, rationales and activities

The following table provides examples of learning outcomes, the kinds of learning activities that promote those outcomes, and how the activities could be supported by learning technologies.

Desired learning outcomes (What?)	Rationale (Why?)	Relevant activities (How?)	Potential technological tools
Information literacy Global practice Digital literacy Ethical practice Preparation for success	Exposure to, awareness of, contribution to external activity conversations resources techniques and approaches Appropriate referencing Appropriate equipment for the 21st-century graduate Managing information load	Multi-dimensional evaluation Sharing and reviewing online resources Connecting with outside experts and communities Check for plagiarism Media-making/ mashups Digital storytelling Copyright/Creative Commons discussions Activities relevant and authentic to discipline Embedded activities for generic attributes Contextual prompts to evaluate sources	RSS feeds/aggregators Blogs Turnitin SlideShare YouTube, theBox Podcasting Library Class Collaborate
Self-directed learning Reflective practice Engaged learning Co-learning Quality learning environment and experience	Negotiate understanding Feedback on the course Reflection on learning Global practice Consistency of experience (equity)	Problem/case-based learning Flexible access to material Project planning and management Student self-tests Teacher (and technology) as facilitator of learning Choice of modes and activities Access to technology (e.g. mobile devices) Agreed code of conduct	Wiki LMS groups (Moodle) Quiz or survey Recorded lectures YouTube, theBox Podcasting Choice of (ability to explore) media Online resources Mobile learning (smartphone, tablet) Library Lesson Class Collaborate
Giving and receiving feedback	Multiple perspectives Feedback on performance	Collaborative writing Group negotiation and planning Assessment of team work Review (e.g., group work) Publishing Reflection	Wiki Blogs Discussion forum Peer review (LMS: Moodle) Class Collaborate
Working in teams Collaborative practice	Negotiating understanding Multiple perspectives (for teacher) management of group work Digital literacy Inclusivity (e.g. NESB)	Collaborative writing Group negotiation and planning Project planning and management Problem- or case-based learning Assessing team contribution Media-based projects Support for a variety of communication styles	Wiki Blogs LMS groups (Moodle) Peer review (LMS: Moodle) Google Docs Class Collaborate Moderated discussion
Critical reviewing Critical thinking Independent learning	Negotiating understanding Multiple perspectives Feedback Practice of critical reviewing critical thinking	Reflecting Debating Reviewing Building social knowledge Review of/commentary on online material Giving and receiving feedback	Blogs Discussion forum Class Collaborate VoiceThread YouTube, theBox Podcasting RSS Peer review Moodle Workshop
Synthesis of learning Apply learning (at high level)	Able to solve new problems Application of knowledge in integrated way	Experience "authentic" practice Integrative (could be group) project Problem/case-based learning activities	Authentic voice via video/audio Class Collaborate Simulations (e.g., virtual experiments) Animations Group tools
Written communication	Negotiate understanding Contribute to external activity conversations resources Appropriate referencing	Reflecting Debating Reviewing Publishing Checking for plagiarism	Blogs Discussion forum SlideShare Twitter (X) Yammer RSS Turnitin
Oral communication Presentation skills Language proficiency		Sharing audio/video material Presenting Digital storytelling Audio/video discussion and feedback	VoiceThread YouTube, theBox, podcast) SlideShare Podcasting Class Collaborate

Table 2: Tools related to activities, and their contribution to learning outcomes

The following table provides examples of the tools you may be interested in using and looks at the types of activities and learning outcomes that are likely to be relevant.

Potential uses of technology	Relevant activities (How?)	Rationale (Why?)	Desired learning outcomes (What?)
Social bookmarking RSS feeds/aggregators	Sharing and reviewing online resources Connecting with outside experts and communities	Exposure to and awareness of external activity conversations resources	Information literacy Global practice
Wiki	Collaborative writing Group negotiation and planning Project planning and management	Synthesis of knowledge Negotiate understanding Multiple perspectives	Working in teams Self-directed learning Giving and receiving feedback
Blogs	Reflecting Debating Reviewing (e.g. group work) Publishing	Negotiate understanding Multiple perspectives Feedback on performance Contribute to external activity conversations resources	Information literacy Global practice Working in teams Written communication skills Critical reviewing Giving and receiving feedback
Discussion forum	Reflecting Debating Reviewing Building social knowledge	Negotiate understanding Multiple perspectives Feedback	Written communication skills Critical reviewing Giving and receiving feedback
LMS groups (Moodle)	Problem- and case-based learning	Negotiate understanding Multiple perspectives (for teacher) management of group work	Working in teams Self-directed learning
Peer review (Moodle)	Assessing team contribution	Feedback on performance (for teacher) management of group work	Self-directed learning Reflective practice
Turnitin	Checking for plagiarism	Appropriate referencing	Information literacy Academic writing
Class Collaborate web conferencing Seesmic VoiceThread BB Collaborate Voice tools	Audio discussion and feedback Video discussion Review of and commentary on online material	Alternative to face to face or text	Oral language skills Oral communication Presentation skills Critical reviewing
Class Collaborate web conferencing	Working in a group Connecting different locations	Archive conversations Flexible access to activities	Presentation skills Oral communication
Digital Media delivered using theBox, iTunesU or YouTube. Can be original work or sourced material.	Sharing video material Presenting Digital storytelling Discussion trigger Reflective tool Archiving class activities Digital literacy when part of student work	Alternative to face-to-face or text Accommodates alternative learning styles (visual) Ability to view material (locations, experiences etc.) not otherwise available Multimodal/flexible access to resources Revision for NESB students or those unable to attend class	Presentation skills Oral communication Digital literacy Enhancement of student experience
Interactive media	Presenting core concepts concisely Simulations of processes, hypothetical problems or cause and effect	Illustrates complex concepts Alternative to face-to-face or text Accommodates alternative learning styles (visual) Aids knowledge retention Supports learning by experimentation	Improve learning outcomes Enhance student experience
Echo360	Flexible access to material	Revision for NESB students or those unable to attend class	Self-directed learning

Selecting Learning Technologies

Learning outcomes x technology tools matrix

Table 1: Sample learning outcomes, rationales and activities

Table 2: Tools related to activities, and their contribution to learning outcomes

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