Mark Caukill, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, New Zealand
mark.caukill@nmit.ac.nz
 

Caukill, M. (2007, Jun). Bulletin of Applied Computing and Information Technology Vol. 5, Issue 1. ISSN 1176-4120. Retrieved from

Sorensen, E. K. & Murchu, D. O. A. (2006). Enhancing Learning Through Technology. Hershey, PA, USA: IGI Global (335 pages).

Technology may (or may not!) have altered the classical path of teaching - it is after all, a disruptor to the ‘chalk and talk’ of old and although computer and telecommunications based technologies have been influencing education for a decade or two now, we are still learning how to learn with these ever changing, ever evolving tools. As educators, we are all well aware of the importance that e-learning technology has played and will play in the ongoing improvements and challenges of education. It has many faces; online discussion forums, virtual environments, simple email, to name a very few.

This book takes a primarily academic look at the complex issues that using these ICT technologies for learning, creates. Thirteen separately authored articles, provide an in-depth look at a variety of technologies and how they affect learning. There is a mix of content; from the consideration of sound educational theory against specific ‘e-tools’ that the authors have used, through to learning issues versus technology in general.

The target audience for this book would seem to be educational rather than technology specialists, i.e. those with a thorough understanding of complex learning theory, although there may be something to be gained by the lay-educator by picking out their topic of interest. This text would nicely support those teachers wishing to do both educational research and evolve their courses with technology.

This book is not a quick-reference “How-to” guide for picking up ‘tips and tricks’ for e-learning but an academic exploration of the impact of technology on learning. It is not a quick or an easy read and is not likely to find a permanent home on my bookshelf. However, it could be worthwhile to have for reference in your institution’s library.

Copyright © 2007 Mark Caukill
The author(s) assign to NACCQ and educational non-profit institutions a non-exclusive licence to use this document for personal use and in courses of instruction provided that the article is used in full and this copyright statement is reproduced. The author(s) also grant a non-exclusive licence to NACCQ to publish this document in full on the World Wide Web (prime sites and mirrors) and in printed form within the Bulletin of Applied Computing and Information Technology. Authors retain their individual intellectual property rights.

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 Copyright © 2007 NACCQ, Krassie Petrova, Michael Verhaart, Alison Young and Tony Clear (Eds.) . An Open Access Journal, DOAJ # 11764120