Childs, B. D., Cochran, H. H., & Velikova, M. (2013). Fusion teaching: Utilizing course management technology to deliver an effective multimodal pedagogy. Journal of Learning in Higher Education, 9(1), 135-140.
The article aims to enhance teaching practice with the introduction of fusion teaching – a prominent approach that unites several instruction methods. The main point that the authors make is that fusion teaching is able to increase student involvement, satisfaction, learning outcomes and knowledge-seeking behaviors (Childs, Cochran & Velikova, 2013). In reviewing the literature, authors compare fusion teaching with other models and conclude that many of them have multiple weaknesses due to their one-dimensionality. Fusion learning being a multifaceted approach remedies that drawback.
The authors also argue for the use of course management technology (CMT) in the face of a digital learning platform as it provides a variety of pedagogic opportunities. They believe that course management is pivotal to fusion teaching because it makes the content organization, presentation, communication and grading easier and more effective while retaining a diversity of teaching approaches (Childs et al., 2013). Due to such a variety of instructional techniques, CMT serves to enhance learning experience and outcomes through fostering fusion teaching.
To support their position authors conducted quantitative and qualitative assessments that demonstrated the effectiveness of fusion teaching. In particular, the former revealed increased engagement among students, a variety of learning activities, and more effective communication. In the quantitative assessment, fusion teaching diversified testing opportunities and percentage of correct test answers. In addition, students started spending up six hours more for studies (Childs et al., 2013).
Among possible challenges of a digital fusion approach, authors identify the possibility of internet connection disruption, lack of familiarity among students, and possibilities for cheating. In my workplace, the introduction of fusion teaching could help organize the learning process in the way that students spend more time studying course readings and communicate more frequently with a teacher.
Leidner, D. E., & Jarvenpaa, S. L. (1995). The use of information technology to enhance management school education: A theoretical view. MIS Quarterly, 19(3), 265-291.
The aim of this article is to review theoretical and practical implementations of information technology (IT) from the standpoint of pedagogical doctrines. The core idea of the study is that there exists a problem with the use of IT for automation of material delivery, while the purpose of its implementation should be to enhance teaching process organization and learning outcomes. Thus, Leidner and Jarvenpaa (1995) argue that the choice of IT implementation depends on the chosen philosophy of education.
The number of factors influencing the direction of teaching is significant which allows for greater opportunities for the creation of tailored programs. In education management, IT could be implemented for convenient information display and access, as well as greater knowledge sharing and co-creation opportunities.
The researchers find it vital to match the learning model with appropriate IT tool and course goals to create the best learning experience through better organization and content. They also identify that presently – the article was written in 1995 – there is a need for further research into testing the most convenient and best-performing combinations of IT and learning approaches. Concentration on automation of learning and making the process more convenient does not contribute to solving the problems of education such as poor learning outcomes and engagement. Yet, they regard IT as a prominent tool for instructing that can help teachers deliver the material more effectively.
The article’s main idea reveals a problem of importance in my workplace such as usage of digital technologies as sources of simplification and automation. Thanks to the authors, I could focus more on implementing IT in a manner that addresses students’ needs and organizing the process of teaching to provide quality education
References
Childs, B. D., Cochran, H. H., & Velikova, M. (2013). Fusion teaching: Utilizing course management technology to deliver an effective multimodal pedagogy. Journal of Learning in Higher Education, 9(1), 135-140.
Leidner, D. E., & Jarvenpaa, S. L. (1995). The use of information technology to enhance management school education: A theoretical view. MIS Quarterly, 19(3), 265-291.