Patrick B. O'Sullivan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Communication Illinois State University

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O'Sullivan, P. B. (2000). Communication technologies in an educational environment: Lessons from a historical perspective. In R. Cole (Ed.), Issues in web-based pedagogy: A critical primer (pp. 49-64). Westport, CT: Greenwood. Abstract This essay provides a historical and conceptual framework for a general understanding of technology to aid educators in evaluating various technologies for educational applications. Common definitions and assumptions about technologies are examined and critiqued, and concepts emerging from technology studies offer a new way of thinking about technologies and their relationships with the humans who create them. The goal is to provide a foundation for making better decisions about when, how, and with whom to incorporate various educational technologies. This framework is then applied to decisions involved in developing online courses.

Copyright © 2004 Patrick B. O'Sullivan All rights to all original materials on this site retained. Last Modified January 13, 2005