Classroom Technology
Gen Y students really get into technology imbedded in the classroom. At my last school we had Smart Boards with full internet access. The entire world of information is only a click away.
The problem with Gen Y students is that they sometime have a hard time separating facts and fiction on the web.
Brian,
so true which really requires some careful planning on our part.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I encourage technology in the classroom for learning tools. It can be a distration if it is too much of a clutch. Know when and how to use it to engage the student is the key.
we have the same issue.. we really have to stay on top of what they are looking up and the credibility of their source.
James,
yes & helping our students know how to research & discern good info from bad is crucial to developing in this area.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree. NOT everything on the internet is true (I know, amazing, huh?). I think this topic goes well with the topic on Critical Thinking Skills and if we improve this area (CT) of their education, the rest will fall into place because they can discern good information from bad or faulty information.
Indeed, I have been incorporating technology in the classroom. Although our campus does not have 'smart boards' yet, I utilize the generation 'Y'ers as my technical support. They have an reserve seating near my work area for easy access to solve computer glitches. At the same time, I am also learning from the students on trouble shooting technical errors and computer failure.
I like this idea it gets everyone involved and they don't realize that they have become the teacher. All the instructor is doing is facilitating the learning process and make sure it is accurate.
Very interesting indeed. Is our "industry" falling behind others in regards to incorporating technology? Definitely food for thought...
Tyler,
yes this is a great point. And I think this also helps us teach our students to use thinking & evaluation skills in regard to information on the internet.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Wikipedia is a great website however information can be edited on it easily. So when searching the web or googling something. It is better to try to get multiple sources siting the same result.
Justin ,
that's right & it provides a way to help them learn more about researching what's out there.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Alot of times students will talk to me about different technologies they see and read on the inernets. Most of the time they have the information half way correct, but this gives me another oppurtunity to help them learn whatever it may be and understand it.
In my field that happens also, but its a good way to teach my students to be open-minded and that sometimes there is no right or wrong way. Use what you learn from me and what you learn from the "YouTube Guy" and see if you can adapt it to your own style.
This is a HUGE problem with my students. Any Google search they perform results in the first response given by Google as "it". They also love to use Wikipedia as a resource. After several attempts to wean them from this site, I had to enforce a no Wiki rule. It's amazing the quality of information they are now presenting.
Ann,
yes, at least it's a step in the right direction.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Yes! We present how to do a legitimate web search (find authored sites, look at author's credentials, use peer-reviewed journals, etc), but it doesn't seem to sink in. They're so eager to get information quickly and easily, that when they find something, they forget all about assessing it for quality of content. I find myself reiterating this time after time when they turn in papers with the craziest resource list! But at least they're willing to look things up, as a way to help themselves! I always like that quality- it's pretty important for everybody to be able to find info that they can't themelves remember.
Deborah,
this is a great idea as they do seem to struggle in distinguishing reliable info from opinion, etc.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Yes, I agree with the comment of they have a hard time determining fact vs fiction- I do not allow certain web sites to be used- I show them the "academic websites" that they are encouraged to use to research.
I like that idea. Technology is evolving all around us (and the students), but not so much in my classroom. Upgrades like that are not cheap, however!
