University of West Georgia

Position paper on the impact of Media and Instructional Technology on Student Learning

Shuntia Wallace

Issues in Instructional Technology

I enrolled in the University of West Georgia Instructional Technology program, with a

strong interest in educational technology. I recognized the huge potential for student learning

and growth with technology. After completing several reading assignments, I now realize that

technology alone is not enough to cause student learning It is the combination of technology

with solid instructional design that can lead to student learning and student success. In this

paper, I plan to complete the following tasks: Discuss the major points of Clark and Kozma;

defend one of their (Clark and Kozma) stances (on technology and student learning); discuss

Swellers cognitive load theory and Mayers cognitive theory of multimedia; and finally, explain

how Mayers and Swellers theory can be used to solve the Clark and Kozma debate.

Since the early 1980s, the question of whether technology can positively influence

education has been debated by numerous educators and educational theorists. In 1983, one of

the best known educational theorists, R.E. Clark wrote an article basically stating-technology has

no effect on student learning. In fact, according to Clark, if any learning occurs while using

technology, it is because of the instructional method (pedagogy) behind or incorporated into the

technology. Technology is just a vehicle for transporting information- it provides an example

that the student cannot or will not provide for themselves, to connect to new content (Clark,
1994). Clark admits that at the point which learning occurs, some medium or mix of media must

be present to deliver instruction (Clark, 1994).

Although many of the sources Clark cited to support his stance on technologys influence

on education are over thirty years old, I have reviewed current articles that supports Clarks

argument. For example, in the article, Oversold and Underused, the author (Larry Cuban) gives

several narratives and evidence that shows how technology has not influenced learning. Some of

the reasons for this, according to Cuban, is due to lack of use- but in cases where technology is

being used, it is used to complete traditional/ ordinary tasks that could be completed without

technology, such as writing papers and research.

During the late 90s, an article was written, by R.B Kozma, that challenged Clarks view

of technologys role in education and attempted to move the debate forward (to which, Clark did

write a response- confirming his stance on the role of technology in learning). Instead of

focusing on the question, Do technology influence education? Kozma encourages us to move

forward and determine How do media affect learning? According to Kozma, technology

(media) have certain attributes that aid and assist with learning. Graphics, text, audio, the way

the information is organized, can all provide examples for the student to connect to new content.

Basically, Kozma would like to stop us from separating instructional methods from technology

(media), then coming to the conclusion that technology (media) alone, does not influence

learning. Instead Kozma would like for us to focus on the connection between technology and

instructional methods and combine them intentionally, to increase learning. Although Kozma

wrote his article over 20 years ago, it seems like he had his finger on the pulse of our current

view of the role of technology in education. According to the article, How Does Technology

Influence Learning, evidence is mounting to support technology advocates claims that

technology does influence learning; especially in the area of achievement in content areas.

According to the article, technology improves performance when the application directly

supports the curriculum standards being addressed. The article even referenced two studies

where (student)test scores increased because of the way the curriculum/standards of a content

area was enhanced with technology- which illustrates Kozmas stance on how teaching and

learning can benefit by combining instructional strategies with technology. (An increase in the

areas of higher order thinking skills and workforce preparedness due to incorporating technology

was also mentioned in the article, How Does Technology Influence Learning (2002).

So here we are now, over three decades later still debating the same question Does

technology influence learning? Or, is it the teaching strategies (pedagogy) that is incorporated

into the technology, which is truly responsible for learning (if it occurs). It is amazing to see that

the arguments of Clark and Kozma are still relevant today in spite of all of the cutting edge

technology that is available.

In the late 1980s, John Sweller developed the cognitive load theory. Cognitive load is

the amount of mental effort being used in working memory; instructional design can be used to

reduce cognitive load in learners. According to Richard Culatta (2015), instructional designers

can use components of the cognitive load theory to help learners retain information. The

Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (by Richard Mayer) basically states that students learn

better with images and text than with text alone.

The theories of Sweller and Mayer can be used to solve the Clark and Komza debate.

Both theories offer ways that content can be organized, grouped/ segmented into chunks and then

presented to the learners in a format that makes it easier for the learner to learn the new content.

Both theories support combining strong instructional design with the appropriate use of
technology. In a 2011 YouTube interview, Mayer, talked about the importance of aligning

technology with clear objectives for learning in order for learning to occur - its not really the

media that causes learning but the instructional method that causes learning. In the video,

Mayer agrees with Clark- learning does not occur with technology alone- and points out the

history of how technology has been used incorrectly in education. Technology itself is not

enough- it has to be integrated into the curriculum- and aligned with clear objectives.

I have really struggled to find my position in the Clark and Kozma debate. On one hand,

I agree with Kozma- technology can be used to promote learning. (Of course I do, I am enrolled

in an on line program and I rely technology to learn new content to complete course

assignments). Clarks article was written over 30 years ago and the resources he sites in this

article, were written long before technology really got off the ground. One of Clarks resources

was written in the 60s- back then the transistor radio was an example of cutting edge

technology. However, when I remove recent technological advances, my ideas, hopes and

wishes for technologys role in education and focus strictly on the question, does technology

influence learning? To that question, my answer is yes- but I strongly support Clarks

argument Technology alone, does not influence or cause learning- It is the solid instructional

design/methods embedded in technology that causes learning.

 Reference:

Clark, R. E. (1994). Media will never influence learning. Educational Technology,

Research and Development, 42(2), 21 - 29. Retrieved from

http://ocw.metu.edu.tr/file.php/118/Clark_1994_2.pdf

Cradler, J., McNabb, M., Freeman, M., Burchett, R. (May 2002) How Does Technology

Influence Student Learning? Learning and Leading with Technology. Retrieved from

http://educ116eff11.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/44935610/Article.StudentLearning.pdf

Cuban, L. (2001) Oversold and Underused: Computers in the classroom. Retrieved from

https://westga.view.usg.edu/content/enforced/1021293-

CO.540.MEDT8463.82614.20162/Cuban-Oversold%20and%20underused.pdf?

d2lSessionVal=x4adu2uzyBezaf7Yfap0OSb6t&ou=1021293

Culatto, R. (2015) Instructional Design.org. Retrieved from

http://educ116eff11.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/44935610/Article.StudentLearning.pdf

Kozma, R. B. (1994). Will media influence learning? Reframing the debate. Educational

Technology, Research and Development, 42(2), 7 - 19. Retrieved from

http://robertkozma.com/images/kozma_will_media_influence.pdf

ODonoghue, M. (2011, Dec.1) Prof. Richard E. Mayer - On the role and

design of video for learning. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=S3fYg6OuTIA