Disruption and design
Myths, hype and reality in online education
From people to pedagogy
1.11 Myth: focus on the technology and the pedagogy will follow
The conversation prism (long description and link to a larger version appears at the bottom of the page)
The range of technologies available to online educators is staggering. Statistics from late 2022 show that 3.5 million apps were available to Android users, and 1.6 million to Apple users. The Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies lists 100 ‘top tools’ for learning in 2023, based on a survey of 2022 learning professionals. Similar lists of ‘top tools’ are widespread. Both of these links take you to current figures.
More often than not, lists of ‘top tools’ are based on the numbers of people using these tools, rather than on an assessment of their effectiveness. In addition, discussion of pedagogies that would work with the tools, and of the tools’ relevance to specific types of learning outcome, or to learner needs and preferences, is usually absent. In 2008 Gráinne Conole commented in her article New Schemas for Mapping Pedagogies and Technologies: ‘I have a fear that because the technologies are so exciting and beguiling that we are seeing a technologically deterministic drive, rather than one based on sound pedagogies’.
The same issue was still apparent in 2024. Encouraged by the popularity of the ChatGPT tool, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate convincing text, many educational institutions promised to add AI to their teaching. The focus was on the tool, rather than on how it could be used effectively, or on its benefits to the learner.
By now, you will have some idea about why technology receives more attention than pedagogy or people. You’ve already encountered what Audrey Watters terms ‘the Silicon Valley narrative’ – that education is ‘broken’ and technology will ‘fix it’ (at a price). Promoting new ‘fix education’ technologies is profitable. Evaluating those technologies’ effectiveness, and promoting new pedagogies and their use with learners, is less so.
In the final section of Week 1 you’ll consider how educators might shift focus away from technology and pay more attention to pedagogy.
© The Open University
Larger version of the infographic:
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Long description
"A circular infographic titled 'The Conversation Prism,' designed by Brian Solis and JESS3, maps the social media landscape by categorizing various platforms and services. The chart has a multi-layered radial design with a gradient color scheme that differentiates distinct segments of social media.
At the center of the diagram, a core circle represents the 'Brand,' surrounded by four key focus areas: 'Marketing,' 'Community,' 'Support,' and 'Product.' Encircling these areas, an intermediate ring highlights aspects of engagement, including 'Participation,' 'Real World,' 'Listening,' 'Ongoing Feedback & Insight,' and 'Crisis Management.'
Radiating outward, the outermost ring contains individual social media categories, each represented by a petal-like segment filled with platform logos. Some of these categories include:
- Social Networking (Purple & Blue): Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace.
- Microblogging (Blue): Includes Twitter and Tumblr.
- Blogs & Conversations (Blue-Green): Platforms such as WordPress and Blogger.
- Social Curation (Blue-Green): Pinterest, StumbleUpon, and Flipboard.
- Collaboration (Green): Services like Google Docs and Wikis.
- Reviews & Ratings (Red-Orange): Yelp and TripAdvisor.
- Video (Orange): YouTube, Vimeo, and Brightcove.
- Location-Based Services (Pink-Red): Foursquare, Yelp, and Plancast.
Each category groups relevant platforms, emphasizing their role in digital communication, networking, and brand interaction. The infographic provides a comprehensive overview of how brands and users engage across different social media ecosystems."