ACTIONS Model

For selecting educational media technology

Tony Bates

Access

· How accessible is a particular technology for learners?

· How flexible is it for a particular target group?

Costs

· What is the cost structure of each technology?

· What is the unit cost per student?

· What are the opportunity costs vs. other technology choices?

Teaching and Learning

· What kinds of learning are needed?

· What instructional approaches will best meet these needs?

· What are the best technologies for supporting teaching and learning in this environment?

· Can the content be adapted to the technology?

· What skills does the technology develop?

Interactivity and User-friendliness

· What kind of interaction does this technology enable? (synchronous or asychronous)

· How easy is it to use and learn?

Organizational Issues

· What are the organizational and Institutional requirements to provide stability and support?

· What are the barriers to using this technology successfully within the institution?

· What changes need to be made within the organization to incorporate the technology?

Novelty

· How new is the technology?

· What are its technical capabilities?

Speed

· How quickly can courses be created and distributed with this technology?

· How quickly can materials be changed?