The effect of new technology allows students to become more creative in their learning experience. A lot of information is now available in various types of media such as websites and videos. Professors need to use these tools to their advantage in teaching students concepts. Collaboration through technology is also a great tool for students as it allows them to effectively work with one another to complete group projects.
The student is constantly having to learn and re-learn new software, hardware or other form of technology. Technology is an ever changing form of instruction and newer and greater ideas come about everyday. So the input the student will give can change the output that they pick. New input can also allow us to stay connected more consistently making it easier for the student to stay connected.
Hi Larry,
Many of my students would be unable to attend school if the Internet did not make online education available. Because the interfaces may be accessed all day and night, people are finding online schooling is the way to go.
Best,
Andrea
Hi Tearee,
I think it is so important to allow individualization in learning. Students relate content differently.
Best,
Andrea
The technology enhances the student learning process through multimedia and discussion boards. I provide weekly links to various articles to relate course material. Even the library is available for students to access 24/7. Tutoring labs are also readily available for students, should extra help be necessary.
Camille,
Yes, the immediacy of the technology has changed how we do most things in our society and has, for sure, changed the expectations for students as well as the capacity for engagement. Good points!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I think the one dramatic change has been the amount of access technology provides these days. (Phones, tablets, wireless access everywhere)Students can literally access their courses from anywhere, anytime. Then of course the amount and diversity of information available is incredible. So many different options and ways of teaching, learning, communicating across boundaries and time, and sharing of ideas. It is really an amazing period of change.
New technology has allowed content to be more engaging. It has broadened the ability/accessibility to interact with the instructor and classmates. Often in the traditional environment students had to wait for the class time to discuss their thoughts. New technology caters to instant, continued interaction.
Today's students expect technology in the classroom. A modern classroom can scarcely call itself "state of the art" without some interface with the technologies available. Whether that be internet, wiki links, blogs, youtube, smart boards, etc. faculty need to aware that students can navigate these sources and utilize them to enhance learning. It then becomes incumbent on the teaching strategy to guide the use of such tools to become either adjuncts or actual components of the lesson.
The new technology allows me to offer course content in a variety of ways for my online students. Live interactive chats where I can share screens linking students directly to websites gives them a first-hand look at how to reach relevant information for course research. Chats are archived as PointPoint slide presentations which students can refer back to at a later time. Some students who are more visual learners find this helpful.
Peter, it is true that there is a new immediacy to finding information with a click or a touch of a fingertip. However, students now need to know how to use the information in a format that expands critical thinking that provide viable ways of of creating new thoughts about a subject. In my teaching, I am trying to inspire students to think beyond the information but to interpret the information and think how they can use it to come up with their own perspectives.
Joel,
I think this is about instructional design rather than the technology. Often when teachers integrate new technology, they become passive and rely on the technology to "teach" the students. As we know, this is not how it should be and actually with the use of new technology, teachers are needed more than ever but specifically in guidance and direction rather than information-sourcing students.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I think technology is great, but often times it may create a generation of students that lack critical thinking skills. Technology has made it easy for students not to think for themselves because they can get the answer with a click of a button. I wonder how nomads would do if the the digital tools we have today all of a sudden just went away.
The evolution of technology has seemed to create a greater desire among the population as a whole for knowledge and pure data acquisition. Students are demanding data and knowledge faster and more efficiently than ever. Multiple access points allow them to self select and adapt their learning within the "nomadic" realm. When students have flexibility with technology and access points, they also seem to feel more satisfied from a customer service/benefit standpoint. Options allow for customization, flexibility and often faster more efficient and robust learning.
As the technology changes modifications may be necessary to our courses. Just as a chain is strongest as its weakest link, we must always provide for the older student who is returning from being away from academia and not atuned in technology. to this end, the patience of the Help Desk is always necessary.
Students today are 'wired' and they demand good info to make sound decisions immediately. As technology further evolves we will see devices that are smaller, faster, hold more memory, and can perform more versatile applications.
I was in a chat session one night and one of the students was describing the full moon over the ocean. In fact, the student was attending the chat on a smart phone and actually experiencing what she was describing. And to think I worry about wireless connectivity when I travel. Like the instructor (in the quiz) who needed training on the tools of the trade so to speak, I decided then and there to get a phone where I, too, could get a connection to the chat anytime and anywhere. I also decided to get past the reliance on hotel/motel wifi as they never work when needed most. It is amazing how many resources are available to students and instructors to collect, present and share information. Granted, some of us old dogs are a little reluctant to learn new tricks, it is a necessary part of “doing business†today and essential in capturing and holding the students’ attention. Students can use the technology readily to socialize and are eager to put it to work in classes as well.
The classroom environment should (1) take advantage of a BYOD format - allowing students in the face-to-face class time to use their mobile devices for instruction, and (2) educators in the face-to-face environment should also institute a device down policy - times when students should put their devices down in order to pay attention to face-to-face interactions.
Amy,
Yes, both of your points are important - self-paced learning and customized feedback from the instructor.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
It gives them a variety of sources that help in the learning process. On campus students have lecture and hands on but online students also receive customized interaction. It allows the student to process the information at their speed.
