Just Click OK: Time

Just Click OK: Technology, Autonomy, and Educational Decision Making

When we decide to use technology we should consider the time commitments required.

Some quotations will illustrate:

A quotation from 1997: Of course, addition of technology choices does not tend to save teachers any time. In most cases, development of a technology-rich learning environment involves far more time than does preparation of a traditional lecture. (CAUSE/EFFECT Volume 20, Number 3, Fall 1997, pp. 36-44, 48. http://cause-www.colorado.edu/ir/library/html/cem9739.html.)

A quotation from 1999: Faculty were also asked to rate the importance of various incentives to use technology. Not surprisingly, released time, student and clerical support, and stipends were important incentives. (CAUSE/EFFECT journal, Volume 22 Number 2 1999. http://cause-www.colorado.edu/ir/library/html/cem9923.html.)

And some of early quotations about time and the Web:

People talk about things happening in "Internet years"-- which seem to last no longer than about three months. --Michael Miller, in PC Magazine.

One human year is said to equal five Internet years. --American Enterprise Institute research fellow Cynthia Belz, addressing the Reason Foundation.

Long ago (well, almost 2 years ago, but that's like 15 and a half "Web-Years." --Ryan Watkins, director of Web technology, Dimension X, Inc.

If each "human year" equals seven years in a dog's life . . . a human year like 1996 should count for about 10 years in the life of the Web. --Alan Zisman in Computer Player Magazine. ("What's That in Dog Years?," The Web Magazine December 1996-January 1997: 20.)

The time involved can be closely connected with reconceptions of teaching and learning methodologies.

More from the 1997 source:

The emphasis shifts to design and development and away from lecturing, correction, and feedback as peers and the students themselves become more involved in exploration, discovery, and performance-based modes of evaluation and assessment. (CAUSE/EFFECT Volume 20, Number 3, Fall 1997, pp. 36-44, 48. http://cause-www.colorado.edu/ir/library/html/cem9739.html.)

Further, support is the antidote to time constraints. Although time is required for instructional technology efforts, the support available for technology efforts is perhaps becoming greater than for any other aspect of education. This support should take the form of resources available at local institutions as well as grant resources like those found at

The Tech.Learning Grants Page

The Foundation Center's Grants Page

Online Grants Databases

and many other resources.

Additionally, there are many communal aspects of technology-related work can offer relief and the time invested in technology endeavors can have personal benefits. Some snippets from a developer's journal will illustrate: