Technology and Teaching Strategies: A Decision Making Model

Introduction

The purpose of this interactive decision making tutorial is to help educators select teaching strategies that align with their instructional objectives. Teachers will learn about specific technology tools and websites available to support those teaching strategies. There is universal agreement that effective instructional decision making involves the following three activities:

1. Selecting appropriate learning objectives,
2. Selecting teaching strategies that are appropriate for these objectives, and
3. Creating assessments that are valid measures of the learning objectives.

The focus of this tutorial is on step #2, selecting teaching strategies. This decision-making model begins with a teacher-supplied instructional objective and takes the teacher through a series of steps designed to help choose appropriate strategies and technologies.

In order to use this model effectively, users should have a basic understanding of how to write instructional objectives. If you do not or feel the need for a refresher, start with our Instructional Objectives Tutorial before using the model. (NOTE: Will open in a new window)

Before Using the Model

This tutorial draws on a variety of studies and the work of those who have synthesized the products of these studies. Use the links below to learn more about the background and philosophy of this model:

Start the Model


Technology Requirements

You will need the Macromedia Flash Player and the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to use this tutorial. In addition, some of our examples were created using Microsoft Office. However, most of them can also be opened using OpenOffice, a free, open-source office productivity suite. You can learn more by visiting the OpenOffice website.

 

Created by Karen Work Richardson ( ) and Robert Hanny ( ) as part of the Virginia Initiative for Technology and Administrative Leadership. Funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.