Student Attention
I find that if I eliminate their need for electronic devices, but use my own such as my Ipod to listen to information podcasts, or the projector to show short lectures on youtube, that the students feel less inclined to reach for their computer or text under the table. The use of technology is important and it shows how versitile it can be for them in their career.
Technology can be a great tool in the classroom but I have noticed that some students are obsessed with their phones and addicted to Facebook. I cannot control what students do in an online teaching enviroment, but I can control their use in the classroom setting. When having discussions in class, we certainly will utilize the internet or google something specific in order to obtain more information. We might watch a colonoscopy via Youtube to visualize what we are discussing. It can be extremely beneficial to visual learners.
I agree I think it is important to bring technology into the class room so students feel more dynamicaly about lectures
