The role of technology in university learning

28 September 2004

Basic computer literacy is no longer the benchmark for what students should have learned by the time they leave university, international education technology expert Dr Steve Ehrmann will tell a conference at Monash University on Thursday 30 September at 1pm.

Dr Ehrmann, who is based at the Teaching Learning and Technology Group in the US, will discuss the relevance of technology on education outcomes in his talk, The Implications of Technology for the content of a University Education: Beyond Computer Literacy.

Dr Ehrmann says students already learn the benefits of Information technology in the classroom, however he says computers and the Internet have further implications.

"Technology widens the range of experiences and resources available to the students in their learning capacity," he says.

"This creates an even greater need for educators to help students learn to use such resources effectively, rather than floundering in the web. More than ever, schools and universities need to help students learn how to learn using technology as a tool."

Dr Ehrmann says learning institutions do not need the most state-of-the-art IT equipment to maximise students technology learning, they just need to ensure technology is reliable.

And he says there are important types of analytical thinking, communications, quantitative reasoning and information skills that cannot be used or learned without technology, including information literacy and the ability to create web sites for academic expression.

Dr Ehrmann's visit has been organised by the Centre for Education Learning and Teaching Support at Monash University and coincides with a university review of technology-assisted teaching conducted by the Flexibility Sub-Committee of the Education Committee.

The talk will be held in room S4, building 25 at Monash's Clayton campus from 1pm on Thursday 30 September.

For further information or to arrange interviews, contact Ms Diana Cousens at CeLTS on 9905 2231 or Ms Diane Squires in the media communications office on 9905 5828 or 0417 603 400.