Kozma vs. Clark

I have found the whole Kozma/Clark debate to be both enlightening and frustrating. I can see what both of them are trying to say, and of course, I think that the "truth" is somewhere in between (or are their arguments really all that incompatible with each other in the first place?) Like Clark, I do think that it is the method that is the most important. However, like Kozma, I think that media can be a positive factor in students' learning. Looking at some of Kozma's other comments in our Learning Theory class (like many others in this class) I was reminded again how important it is to consider the cognitive needs and background knowledge of the students. What we need to remember as teachers and/or instructional designers is to use media where appropriate.

I really liked what Wade Meier posted last Friday in the discussion. He cited a 1994 article from Jonassen, Campbell, and Davidson which stated: "this debate should focus less on media attributes vs. instructional methods and more on the role of media in supporting, not controlling the learning process." I think that sums it up really well. Media can be a great tool, and it is incumbent on us to use it well.