Nothing but the Blues: A Case Study in the Use of Technology to Enrich a University Course

Abstract

Too often, computers become the focus of a technological integration endeavor in education. Instructors may well be excited about the potential uses of computer-assisted education, but at the same time feel lost in a high-tech jungle. However, computer technology is just a means to an end. The real question for instructors and course designers is how to understand a course holistically, including its goals, content, structure, teaching methods, and even the underlying theories of learning. This holistic analysis helps determine the best way to incorporate technology, or a variety of technologies, to deliver a course effectively. This chapter describes, through a case study, this holistic approach towards course design and presents the implications for using educational technologies in a conventional classroom setting.