Redesigning the Classroom:

Teaching and Technology in Higher Education

By

Robert Cavalier, PhD
Carnegie Mellon University

Not since the introduction of chalkboards in the 1800s has the classroom been so challenged in regard to its basic design and pedagogical setting. Neither overhead transparencies nor TV monitors provided the kind of dynamic, interactive capabilities seen on today's high resolution monitors. Indeed, it is precisely the evolutionary symbiosis of powerful computers and good software that today provides the first real challenge to the traditional classroom setting.

This presentation discusses all aspects of educational computing as it is currently evolving: its history and context, issues of instructional design and evaluation, technical support and administrative advocacy, and the "computational turn" that is affecting every academic discipline. Concrete examples from Dr. Cavalier's classes at Carnegie Mellon will conclude the presentation. These examples include the use of interactive multimedia, a hypermedia Web-based syllabus containing classroom materials, presentation software used for class lectures, a class-specific electronic bulletin board, and the potential utilization of 'Tele-profs' via network-based video mail.


Home