1. Above all we value effective teaching. We believe that technology can enhance effective teaching. Technology is fulfilling when it helps make us more effective teachers.
2. The learning curve and dynamic environment of technology don’t alienate or separate technology from teaching and learning or curriculum & instruction. All principles of pedagogy and learning apply to technology-based instruction as well.
3. The rate of change in the information age is immediate and the impact is dramatic. Long-term plans must be flexible. We must stay focused on our learning goals so that we don’t lose our way when new technology becomes available.
4. We believe that computer/telecommunications technology can improve the culture of the college. We must emphasize the importance of computer networks and what they offer. Interdependency via computers increases the importance of viewing ourselves as a learning community. Social-constructivist theory supports the use of technology to increase the levels of collaboration and innovation in our teaching. Computer networks are extensions of human networks. We must strive to include all our colleagues as well as our students in technological innovation.
5. We need to keep a clear understanding of the role of technology in activity construction; we also need a better understanding of when not to use technology in our instruction (Just because we can do something with a computer, does not mean that we should. We must ask ourselves why we doing using the technologies we are and how it will benefit our students.). Often, we will need to resist technological innovation that is imposed from the outside (distance learning, for example) when the pedagogy may be compromised. Conversely, we must not blame the technology for bad pedagogy.
6. Integrating technological tools in instruction is tricky business. We must learn how to separate out real improvement in learning from temporary or illusionary learning. Instruction utilizing technology may make an activity fun, but may not actually accomplish learning goals. Technology innovation in instruction should take the following into account:
   • The student may find the activity to be fun but is learning taking place?
     
   • The students may enjoy the novelty and excitement of the activity but is it just because it’s something new or are students really learning something?
   • The students may be engaged in the activity but is the engagement because of learning or because of the excitement of the technology tool?
7. There are dual objectives in selecting technology tools in our teacher education programs:
   
   • Using technology to enhance concept and content acquisition in the teacher education curriculum.
   • Helping students learn and acquire skills in the use of technology as an effective part of the teaching act or other professional role for which they are preparing.
     

Actions Needed to Sustain the Growth of the Effective Use of Technology in RCOE

1. Faculty in RCOE are already doing great things with technology. We must develop an awareness of the quality, types and levels of technology in instruction. We must be more conscious about the way we collaborate.
2. We should conduct research on our practice. We must think of new ways to capture what we are doing. Case studies, ethnographies, experimental design studies, and other research techniques can be applied. The current literature on researching technological innovation supports creative multiple approaches. We cannot know our deficits if we don’t know what we have.
3. We must acknowledge that we learn through our interactions with all people. While there are mismatches between people and developmental differences to take into account, it is crucial to recognize the worth and potential contributions of all of our colleagues.
4. We need to seek ways to sustain research, conversations, sharing, and explorations related to the use of technology in learning settings. How we reward effective work with technology and encourage the continued effort to explore and share the results of using technology will be critical to our efforts to prepare our graduates for the roles they will take on after completing our programs.