So, Carlton, given the challenge of time, how could new technology be used to create and support evaluations that are more authentic and applied?
I agree that much that ia learned in a course, especially a technical course is not evaluated. No matter how we try to evaluate a student for knoledge and competency, some areas will be missed . Time gets in the way.
Do you see the positive aspects in learning, David?
How do you keep social skills front and center, Scott? What about social networking tools and social media?
I agree that technology is or will be in all aspects of the workforce and the benifits that it has with learning and productivity. but its important to not lose everyday social skills along the way.
There ar many new skills that develop however the one that I notice the most is that the younger students become a little more self reliant considering there new skills. That is huge when thinking about todays youth and their entitlement beliefs
John...can you be more specific about what might be good and bad uses of technology and how we can stunt the growth and development of students as a result?
Good points, Afrodite, but do you think it has definately challenged how instruction is designed and delievered? If so, how specifically?
New technology develops many new conceptual and processing skills in our students. Student are consistently introduced to new technology. Not only do they need to learn how to manually manuever throught it, but they also need to conceptualize how to put it into effective use within their related learning. I have heard some people say that technology has stunted out student learning. On the contrary, I believe it has simply changed it.
New technology is being used in ways it sometimes was never intended to be. Some times new technology can be good and at times it can be bad. We have come to rely on technology too much and that can be bad. However if we are not implementing it in useful ways, our students can fall behind in the work place and become less desirable as an employee.
With todays technology the student will have to keep in mind that they will have to keep thear pc clean of any viruses to keep up with class work,
Excellent point, Guy. Establishing a team approach to the technology use and innovation helps to facilitate group learning and collaboration at various levels.
I agree that the use of new technology makes it very dynamic and fun adn we kind of get some good laughs as we sometimes struggle together to get it to do what it is we want it to do. I think this builds a LOT of team work because we rarely get to do this type of problem solving,
How valuable a skill is multitasking, in your oninion? If you think it is very valuable, how much value do you assign in terms of the assignment score or overall grade?
I do agree, multi-tasking has become an integral part of today's life and the new technology will allow the up comming students to beable to learn and grasp knowledge at a faster rate because of the variations in styles of information and skill dilievery.
Good points, Afrodite. Could you provide examples from your own teaching that has created these kinds of learning experiences for students?
New technology gives everyone the ability to think more freely but it especially gives the learner an openness and problem-solving method that sets them above the typical employee. Potential employers will find this approach helpful in a world where change is constant. Teaching learners with these new methods is both exciting and wonderful.
The use on new technology allows the students to use different learning styles for finding information as well as expressing themselves in an actual or virtual classroom.
Yes, Jeremy, so how do you think assignments and methods of evaluation should change to integrate such an array of new and emerging skills in students?
New technology can help students in several ways. The most obvious benefit of mobile technology is allowing students to connect to the instructor, classroom, and other students from anywhere. The added convenience encourages students to seek help and learn any time and any location. It helps students develop skills such as networking, communication, collaboration, etc. Technology in the classroom such as smart boards, computer applications, projectors, laptops, and plotters clearly assists with teaching students the skills associated with those technologies. For example, I have taught CAD-related courses for over 5 years. Without the techology in the classroom to match the technology in the field, students would not have the opportunity to learn real-world software and situations.
