Current Research

Decades of research have shown many uses of technology can improve both the teaching process and the learning outcomes for students. When planning to evaluate instructional technology use, identifying what outcomes to measure begins with considering existing evidence about effective uses of technology in instruction.

Below is a list of pedagogical objectives for which instructional technology has been shown to have a positive effect.* In the left hand column each objective includes links to related strategies, ideas, and tools; the right hand column links to profiles on the CIT Web site of Duke faculty projects where these strategies have been put in practice.

Objective Duke Examples

Support students in actively building knowledge rather than being passive receptors of information

  • Incorporate the use of Web 2.0 tools
  • Publish student work beyond the boundaries of the classroom as podcasts or web sites

Bring real-world situations into the classroom


Move beyond text only to rich multiple representations of ideas

Reinforce basic concepts to achieve mastery

 Enhance collaboration in learning
Explore connections using digital and hypermedia environments

Employ simulations in place of laboratory experiments or other virtual applications

 * Kozma, R. B. and Johnston, J. (1991) The technological revolution comes to the classroom. Change, 23 (1), 10-23.

Related reading:

Deep Learning for a Digital Age: Technology's Untapped Potential to Enrich Higher Education
Van B. Weigel
Published by Jossey-Bass, 2001

Effective teaching with technology in higher education: foundations for success.
Tony Bates and Gary Poole
Published by Jossey-Bass, 2003


Last modified May 26, 2009 10:15:57 AM EDT