About Instructional Technology

Technology is for Teaching & Learning

UA College of Medicine faculty use a variety of software applications (app) to engage students in different learning experiences. For example, some faculty use audience response software to enhance student engagement and participation in lectures.

Students at the Tucson campus use ThinkShare, which offers students opportunitites to think aloud and review what and how peers are thinking as they work through medical cases in the Clinical Reasoning Course (CRC).  Facilitators use the same for preparing for, facilitating and reflecting on sessions with students. 

Education research supports the strategic integration of technology in learning and teaching (Mehlenbacher 2010, 109-58). Studies suggest that many "teachers are either using technology very infrequently or using it to support their practices rather than revolutionize them"  (Karasavvidis, 2009).

References

Karasavvidis I. Activity theory as a conceptual framework for understanding teacher approaches to information and communication technologies. Computers & Education, (2), 436-444; 2009.

Mehlenbacher B. Instruction and Technology: Designs for Everyday Learning. MIT Press; 2010