Journal 1

Finding New Ways to Connect; Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation
By Eleanor Yang Su
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
The article addresses the issues of technology in the classroom. There are the issues of students multitasking while in class. The "generation Y or Echo Boomers" have been growing up with the influence of fast pace of technology. Yang Su states "They are quick to integrate the latest technologies into the way they work, relax and socialize." This means that this generation is on that has some sort of technical devise with them at all times. Professors are looking at different ways to integrate technology into their classes. Some are using software and hand helds to quiz during class. Other are using programs that incorporate technology into the dynamic of the class such as discussion boards The integration of the technologies are in a transition

Question 1: As a student how do I feel about all of this technology in the class room? I am kind in the middle of this issue. I am a student yet I am a little older than the average college student. I am constantly feeling like it is difficult to focus with so many devices outputting into my head and demanding input from me. With all of the multitasking going on there is a question in my mind of how much is being processed. I worry that the bells and whistles may distract from the depth of the lesson. The way that discussion boards have been incorporated in most of my classes have been useless. The students do their required posting yet never get involved with any discussions and probably never read their piers postings. There is little exchange of or debate on ideas. I should just send my professor an email of my response to the stimuli. This is where I feel technology in the classroom is failing. Just because every student is stating something doesn't mean that they are growing or thinking beyond their current views. The bell is prettier than its ring.

Question 2: How as a teacher will I incorporate technology into my classroom? I do think that technology is important to integrating due to its inevitable presents and continuing evolution. It is possible that new generations will define a new style of learning – that of one that is focused on technology. The use of technologies in the classrooms has to be one that is focused. It needs to be relative and not distracting from the main focus of the lesson. There needs to be a use for the technologies rather that just giving the students a fix to their obsession with technology. I like the idea of the “remote answering device" used in chemistry class at UCSD. It give the students and professor the ability to assess their understanding of the lesson. Also I think that with each incorporation of technology it may be advantageous to have a discussion of the pro and cons of the use of technology in everyday life, workplace or with the specific lesson. The technology used needs to be a reinforcement of the lesson rather than an addition and distraction to the lesson.

Introduction

I am Trudi Andres. I grew up as a third generation Phoenician in Arizona (that is rare). I went to school at Papago Elementary. I attended High school at Camelback High school as well as Metro Tech Vocational school where I took commercial photography classes. I then went on to Scottsdale Community College where I was more involved with being an 18 year old then school. I eventually broke the family trend and moved out of state to Nashville, Tennessee for a few years then here to North County San Diego about 8 years ago. I started back on my education at Mira Costa College and now am a full time student at CSUSM where I am more involved with being a student than being in my 30's.

My experience with technology is rather extensive yet there are some holes. I made a living off of an image retouching and desktop publishing niche called prepress for 10 years. So my knowledge of Mac is extensive especially with Photoshop and the desktop publishing programs. I feel at home on a Mac but have had to be ambidextrous with the pc at work and home. I also used to be married to a Informations Tech. This was good and bad for me (over all). As far as technology, I learned a lot from him however I also let him do a lot for me. So there are some basic gaps in my knowledge. I know more about Photoshop than any class will ever teach you but there are some operating issues I draw a blank on.

As far as the mission statement I had never read it before this class but I had learned it though the experiences of many people with in the college of education. The contact I have had with these people persuaded me to join the college due to their commitment to education with the diversity and a multiculturalist attitude toward eduction. I believe that everyone deserves and education and that it is important as an educator to be able to provide and education that is accessible to everyone despite their background.