Presently our class is using a form of computer that provides data for assesment, but does not specificaly lay out the answers but offers the student the opportunity to analyze and reach a logical conclusion for themselves. with prodding and answering questions with a question they are able to think thru the situation and find a solution. at first they are frustrated but once confidence is established in problem solving they become more eager to be challenged.
Yes it has.I think that when a student can "Google" the answer to a question, it is not in their best long term learning. For example of what I am talking about. Let's say there is a complex math problem that a student has to figure out, and he has in the past looked the formula up, never learning them. Now he's taking a test and the internet server is down, he can use a calculator, but he doesn't KNOW the formula, he just knew where to find it on the net. How many times have we gone to a fast food restaurant and the cashier can't make change without the register telling them how much? Technology is a wonderful tool, but it does not replace knowledge.
Mark,
I would say that the need to retain facts has declined. However I've found many of my Gen Y students are really driven to understand the why's & concepts behind events; previous generations sometimes missed out on this because they were preoccupied with retaining facts.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I see less of it every day. When it is as easy to just touch a screen to get information, I find the info usually isn't retained or understood. When that happens there is no value in the information to them. They can just simply look it up again to get the answer they are looking for.
