its a new world
Technologies in some ways complicates our lives yet enhances the learning outcomes for our students. As witnessed in the adult learner classrooms, any attempt to incorporate technologies into the learning process is met with great excitement on behalf of the student. Gone are the days of litographs and overhead projectors; to get a students attention today and FACILITATE THEIR LEARNING, smart phones, Ipads/pods/phones have become the new medium of learning. You can run an experiment simply by providing directions on a sheet of paper for one half of the class and send the others the exact same information via email or text... guess who remembers the subject or proceedure... As instructors we need to stay abreast of new technologies and find the life-long learning process ourselves. :)
I find that I have always resisted modern technology. The reasons seem to vary from lack of interest, to not wanting to expose myself to radiation (cell phones) for extended periods of time, to just the realization that people today are very disconnected from one another due to technology, and personally not wanting to be like that. It is common to go out to dinner, and find many people at a restaurant texting while they are in the company of someone else. Today while in spa class, I experienced another example of this disconnect. After teaching how to do a hand paraffin dip, some of the students that received the treatment were stressed over not having access to their cell phones (their hands were wrapped up). I do not allow the phones to be used during class, so I asked why they were stressing over it, and they said it was just the fact that they did not have access to the phone should they need it. I am learning, however, that if you want to be effective in the classroom, you have to meet the student where he/she is at. If modern technology speaks to the student, then it is up the facilitator to grow and develop to meet the student where he/she is at. I am currently trying to expand my horizons in this area.
I frequently ask students to google specific questions or topics during class. They enjoy the opportunity. And I don't limit it to "serious" questions. We occasionally look up "fun facts" about the topic. Since altering the place of cell phones from forbidden/hidden to helpful tool, I really think there is less texting and facebooking going on during class.
I wonder if there is an app that could walk a student through the same steps that this exercise is simulating. Have the application indentify the learning concept, intrapersonal, etc.. with reasoned activities that instructors could input for a template. Sounds reasonably simple, could make a fortune.
LaToya,
absolutely true! We need to explore how we can utilize the technology that many of our students are familiar with into the content/instruction.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree, that as educators it is important to keep up with technologies in the 21st century. Students are learning electronically then before so why not use it in class to enhance the learning.
