Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation
Summary: This article shows the different forms of technology that students are using in and out of the classroom. It talks about students text-messaging in class, as well as surfing the web in and out of class. It talks about the different social sites such as MySpace and “IM”ing. There are so many different forms of technology these days that teachers are having a hard time keeping up as well as making the class interesting enough for the students. Some teachers talk about the different ways they keep the class on their toes, they ask them to search different sites during the lecture as well as give them a quiz with their clicker remote. They say they do these things to step away from the lecture a bit, and take a breath from writing notes! Not all teachers use these forms of technology however; many still use power point and the overhead projector during their lectures. The article also speaks of the multitasking one can do nowadays with the improvement of technology. One can talk on the phone to their grandma while checking their email, myspace, and instant messaging their friends. The generations are changing, although some think it’s making the lectures easier.
Questions:
1.Do using different forms of technology during a lecture keep the students involved?
From personal experience, YES! I believe that if one is just putting up overhead slides and reading off them, the lecture is very boring and I really am not learning anything. But if a teacher were to use power point, take breaks and have us look things up on the web and make the class more interesting, I am more engaged in what I am learning and actually get something out of the class.
2.The article says that students say email is for old people, do you agree?
I don’t agree. I check my email daily and there are a lot of times that my emails are from people my age. I email my parents, friends and teachers. I even email myself sometimes if I have something due. I send it to my email just in case I lose it or forget it at home. That way I can print it at school! The thing I use my email for most is sending pictures and receiving pictures. It’s a great way for the family to keep in contact and if you think of something late in the night, when you can’t call, email, they’ll get it in the morning and reply asap! Emailing is not for old people, I’m 20 and email every day!
