Instructional Tools for Developmental Educators

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Instructional Tools for Developmental Educators
David C. Caverly, Ph.D. Southwest Texas State
University NCLCA Summer Institute June 16, 2001
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Flippo, R.F. Caverly, D.C. (2000) Handbook of
College Reading and Study Strategy Research.
Mahwah, NJ Erlbaum Publishers.

• Chapter 11 - Technology in College Developmental
  Reading - Caverly Peterson

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A Technology Support Model for Reading
Cognitive Task Demand
expertise
complex
Technology Use
simple
behaviorist
tutor
tool
tutee
constructivist
Instructional Perspective
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Computer as Tutor

• Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)
• Presents information to be learned
• Provides instruction as simple skills taught
  sequentially

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Computer as Tutor Example

• Ultimate Speed Reader
• Pair Discuss in Pairs what it is doing
  instructionally
• Share

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Computer as Tutor

• Drill and Practice
• Tutorial
• Simulation (D/P, Tut)

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Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)

• Package delivered over a network
• Typically diagnostic/prescriptive
• Computer directed remediation
• Upside report generation
• Downside teacher proof mentality

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Computer as Tutor Research Findings

• .31 effect size for achievement
• .22 effect size for attitude
• 10 percentile point post-test gain
• ILS research mirrors this, but done by companies
• .48 effect size for achievement on hypermedia
  tutorials
• 18 percentile point post-test gain

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Computer as Tutor Strengths

• CAI can improve lower level, basic skills if
  supplementing, not supplanting instruction
• ILS more effective when students work in pairs
• Greater gains in math than in reading or writing
  skills

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Computer as Tutor Weaknesses

• Little transfer to standardized tests
• Little transfer to future classroom reading or
  writing task demands
• Attitude gains are short-lived

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Computer as Tutor Limitations

• Technology used to transmit information rather
  than create knowledge
• Develops only Simple level of knowledge
• More complex skills needed for success in the
  Information Age
• Need to redefine use of technology for Knowledge
  Age
• Need to learn how to convert information to
  knowledge

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Computer as Tutor Conclusions

• Viable, but limited usefulness

Matthew Effect
academically rich
academically poor
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Computer as Tool

• word processing
• databases
• bibliographic databases
• spreadsheets
• search engines with the WWW
• mapping/organizational
• audio/video capture and editing

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Computer as Tool Example

• Inspiration
• EndNote
• TIPS

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GAP
Gather
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GAP
Arrange
Gather
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GAP
Present
Arrange
Gather
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Computer as Tool Conclusion

• Writing about reading improves both skills
• Collaborative writing improves all writers
• Collaborative use of complex software aids ESL
  students to improve linguistically
• Develops complex levels of knowledge
• Tool use can reduce Matthew effect

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Computer as Tutee Learning by Teaching

• discussing over e-mail
• creating multimedia / hypermedia instructional
  tutorials to teach others
• creating instructional tutorial web pages to
  teach others

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Computer as Tutee Example

• PLAN webpages

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Computer as Tutee Research

• Tutor/Tutee comparable achievement gains
• Tutors show greater attitude gains
• Reading gains by developmental students serving
  as reading tutors
• Students are able to use technology to teach
  others

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Future of Technology

• More sophisticated hypermedia tutorials
• Tools to support students in hypermedia
• More sophisticated tools to support the computer
  as tutee (i.e., social constructivist learning)

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A Technology Support Model for Reading Implication
s
Cognitive Task Demand
expertise
complex
Technology Use
simple
behaviorist
tutor
tool
tutee
constructivist
Instructional Perspective
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Learning Center Applications

• Computer as Tutor
• Computer as Tool
• Computer as Tutee

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Computer as Tutor

• Get in groups of 2
• Think Review 2 different Tutor links
• Pair Discuss strengths and weaknesses of sites
• Share Report to us

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Computer as Tool

• Get in groups of 2
• Think Review 2 different Tool links
• Pair Discuss strengths and weaknesses of sites
• Share Report to us

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Computer as Tutee

• Get in groups of 2
• Think Review 2 different Tutee links
• Pair Discuss strengths and weaknesses of sites
• Share Report to us

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Discussion and Implications