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.