Educating the educator for use of technology in the classroom
Students have built in "crap detectors" according to a book "Teaching is a Subversive Activity" and they know if you know what you are presenting is true or not because they can easily do a fact check, and they are so familiar with new technology now days that they know whether or not the teacher knows "their stuff" or not or utilizes technology themselves. So, sincerity and honesty is essential for the teacher.
One can frequently learn from one's students. Resources should be invested in teachers to teach them or give them opportunity to learn just how they might include technology into the classroom and time to develop their courses to respond to technological changes. Technology is moving so rapidly that everyone is hard pressed to keep up with the latest developments. S. Golightly
Roy,
while we may bemoan some of the technology, this means we have no excuse for staying up to date & fresh in our subjects.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree on the Credibility, students can tell if your not as familier with a subject as you should be, and when they see the weakness, it's an eating frenzy of sharks...
Great point. I work for an online college. We have two avenues to check this. First the students can check via Turnitin before they submit work. Second, when they formally submit assignments, it then brings them back to Turnitin for a similarity score.
Corrinne,
you are so right & I believe one of our jobs as instructors to this generation is to help them become wise consumers & critical thinkers.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think this can also be used to reach students to assess the quality of the information they are accessing. Just because you can find something on the internet does not mean it is true,accurate, or up to date.
Carole,
I think this is a great strategy as it helps with the class but is also a great demonstration in bringing the group together for the sake of clarity. A great work, communication skill.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It seems to be almost impossible to keep up with everthing. Our school has training when ever microsoft comes out with something different. But I find that many students have different names for the same thing. Whenever thsat happens I stop and everyone agrees what it will be called, or I decide for the class.
Mark,
great point made here. I like your idea of taking the information & seeing who is correct. This demonstrates humility on your part & also teaches them to research their info & learn to back it up from credible sources.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I tell my students that if they have information different from mine to politely point out what they know and we will find out who is correct. I know a lot but not everything and sometimes they have more recent information. Also I use a smart board that allows me to draw or write on the board from anywhere in the room, this wow's them and gives me some tech credit with them. Anything you can do to get on their level technology wise is a huge benefit to getting their buy in for class.
I have much to learn about technology but am eager to do so. When applying technology in my class I often need help even after practicing outside of class. I have one student that volunteers to help. Once he volunteers many other chime in. We get a laugh. I know my subject matter well so I don't feel uncomfortable asking my students for tech help when needed.
Steve,
yes, we need to learn to listen to these students,they love to have input & be part of the discussion.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I could not agree more!! Many times I have also been the recipient of additional learning by listening to the students. This is another way to build credibility with students, simply listen to them.
Great point, we need to teach the consepts and the use of technology for gaining needed information.
If done wright you can lean alot from the students in this area. I always tell my students that i learn from them as much as they learn from me.
I feel teaching the generation Y learners has
been a learning experience for me. Not only
have I developed new teaching methodologies to
accomodate this generation but I have also
become more proficient with the new Technologies.
J. E. Wright
Students are able to take photographs of exam and send them before exam is complete
Kenny,
great advice. I've seen too many young or inexperienced instructors think they have a technical problem when sometimes its because the cord isn't plugged in...not good for the credibility.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Credibility is key in the classroom, and getting busted faking you know what you are doing is the kiss of death. I am very technically savy so I am comfortable embracing different technology, but when I talk to new instructors, I always tell them that if you are not sure how it works, test and practice prior to bringing it to the classroom.
Mark,
this is an excellent point; the courteous & professional use of technology. There is a right way to use these tools & we need to teach this as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
