Christopher,
it definitely is a matter of personal choice regarding the tools you would use. I think this idea of Google voice is a great one for connecting & informing.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Facebook, google plus and twitter I do not use, more out of fear of breaching a the student/teacher professional bubble. I do however I use google voice which gives you a phone # and with the service you can send text messages to your students. i send them mass texts reminding them of tests, homework or quizes that are do. Also if a student is having trouble they will typicall text rather than call me.
The need to stay connected for some students is overwhelming. I allow my student if they chose to access the social networks during their breaks 10 mins on the hour. Even with that time allowed I am still telling students not to be on the social network during class. And when they are using their smart phones it's even harder to catch them. It's not that they are not doing their work it's that they are trying to do both.
Julie,
yes, I think the use of FB or other social media connections is best reserved for outside of class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I really hadn't noticed cheating, but Face book is very distracting for students!
Some behavioral consequences of the new digital brain are hyperactivity, inattention, depression and
multitasking mania. Based upon research for brain development, there is a conclusion stating that daily exposure
to high technology stimulates brain alternation and neurotransmitter release; ultimately strengthening
new pathways in the brain. The human mind is now learning to access and process information more rapidly
and shift attention quickly from one task to the next. All this access and vast selection is causing some
entertainment seeker’s brains to develop the constant need for instant gratification with a loss of patience.
Technological developments directly affect those who cannot multitask or work with the demands of modern
technology, resulting in symptoms of ADD or ADHD.17 To narrow down the connection between ADD and the
Internet, Yen discovers that being easily bored rather than easily distracted is the core symptom of inattentive
ADHD. Internet activities are based highly upon their interactivity levels and immediate response rates; these
quick actions relive the feeling of boredom and possibly create a physical addiction.18 The Internet becomes
the cure for those who cannot hold focus. Once again, research concludes that male college students are
more likely to be screened positively for adult ADHD; however, the overall association between Internet addiction
and attention deficit is more significant in females.19 The fast-paced lifestyle created by the Internet
affects the way the human brain processes and receives information. Humans are now more anxious and
their attention span is weakened by the over stimulation from technology.
Researchers have made conclusions regarding Internet addiction, gender specific activities, and
analyzed behavioral changes; however, large gaps of research remain. These studies are broad, vary upon
method, and focus on the bigger picture.
Marybeth,
I agree with your idea here. There are some dangers in using it in class, but I see a lot of value in helping with the outside connections.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I feel that if used properly it can help the students support each other in the course. It can help with studying, sharing ideas and preparing presentations.
Christine,
yes, we would definitely have to keep an eye on the "work" being done in this environment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Social networks are a means for members of generation Y to feel connected. This group often posts personal data on their respective lives to the social network. A concern is that there is no distinction between their professional and personal lives. One aspect of their lives begins and then integrates with another, apparently seamlessly. It is not my experience that the consequences are taken very seriously. Rather, the postings, comments, and pictures are viewed by generation Y as a right of passage. However, will this perspective change once they are thrust into the competitive job market and their prospective employer spies on their social network?
I feel that social networks both help and hinder Gen Y students. As far as communication goes, they definitely are always in the loop and kept current with information. On the other hand, as far as learning is concerned, there may be more socializing and chatting going on rather than learning.
It's a go to stop for most students and since they are already there its easy to find them and reach out to them.
Dianne,
I agree that this tool can be used very effectively if we keep it in balance & help our students from allowing it to control them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y students want to be connected at all times. Using a variety of social networks provides the Gen Y student the ability to stay connected in various networks with various people whether for personal or professional contact.
It is what they are most comfortable with. They seem to get excited. The hard part is not letting it take over your whole class.
Social networks can influence the learning of Gen y students by providing alternative learning sources from a wealth of other sources. Nowadays students can get the latest from a number of other experts in the field. Social networking can also negatively influence the learning as well. Tweeting and updating a facebook status can detract the student from the learning process.
By harnessing the interest of the students in Social Networking and finding ways to integrate the learning environment into the studnet's daily life we will be more effective in reaching them with our message. Social Networking could be a place to drop mini-lecutures or messages about an educational topic from the class. If we can provide a series of small messages it could be very interesting to see the reaction of the students when a key topic is integrated into a current event and their daily life. I am thinking of experimenting with short messages on Facebook that students will need to see or respond to during term. However, I am still flushing out the idea and how it will work. I do not want to expand my work day but I do want to reach my students at times other than just in class.
Jeff ,
this is very true & I echo your concerns. We must continue to reinforce to the students that good communication skills (all kinds) never go out of style.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
While networking is incredibly important, I think social networking is also damaging the basic ability to communicate. I can only ready so many e-mails like "thank u 4 helping me w/my assignment" before I begin to wonder if the social networking element isn't damaging to the ability to present ones self in a professional manner. If sent in a business context, which being sent to a teacher is a business context, it makes the student look bad.
The most important marketing tool for career success for our graduates is their ability to network. Facebook and other social networks keep them connected. While they are still in school, they are getting involved in community work which leads to paid freelance work many times.
