Technology In the Classroom: Engaging or Disengaging? Journal 1

Finding New Ways to Connect: Professors adjust their teaching methods to reach technology-savvy generation
By: Eleanor Yang Su

In this article by Eleanor Yang Su, the writer addresses many of the concerns over the influx of technology in the classroom, good and bad. Many students today grow up with the latest in technological devices. The students interviewed for this article are all college level students and have mixed thoughts regarding the use of technology in the classroom as well as everyday run of the mill activities.
One of the first concerns brought up in the article relates to the distractions caused by devices such as laptops and cell phones in the classroom. Often students with laptops will find themselves surfing the Internet, playing poker or any of several other options available while connected to the web. Others with cell phones become side tracked with instant messaging while professors attempt to lecture.
However distracting this seems some professors have implemented technology to help engage students learning in this technological age. One such gadget is the clicker. This remote control device allows the instructor to ask questions to the entire class and within seconds the answers all tallied up and ready for further discussion. The use of e-mail for correspondence between students and teachers has also been a great advantage for learners and educators. Office hours are limited, however through the use of e-mail the accessibility between the two increases making for greater communication.
Some older educators feel that their subject matter will never have the appeal of other subjects that have found a way to integrate much more modern technological mediums. I feel that this is a question all educators should have to address.
Q1) How can I implement technology to help engage students for my particular subject?
A.I think for my particular area of study (history) there are various Internet web sites that can help students engage in their own learning. This interaction with technology will assist students and hopefully spark an interest in the subject material. However that is only one idea, and if it happened to be not as successful as hoped, other ideas will follow.
Q2) Another important question when using this technology in the clasroom is how do we prevent studetns from distractive behavior with this technology?( ie. text messaging, online poker, etc.)
A. When trying to avoid distractions caused by technology I think it would be best to prohibit cell phones from the class, or at least to have them turned off. With large classes the clicker can be a highly effective tool to keep students engaged.
By asking questions throughout the class students will need to stay focused on the task at hand. Not the hand they may have just been dealt, awaiting the flop, or turn or river. Anyways when it comes to using technology in the classroom, I believe it has great potential as a learning tool. I'm all in.