I think they view it as away to escape. Some students just cannot put the device away.
It can be a constant battle in the classroom.
Edward,
this is very true & I don't think any of us would want to encourage the improper use of technology, but take the opportunity to help our students learn appropriateness.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think that these young learners feel like they need their smart phones like they need oxygen. Most don't know how to function without staring at that little screen and reading or texting. Their social functioning is very different than the older generations. I'm a Gen Xer and I see the definite benefit of technology and use it daily on my smart phone but I can take a much needed break from it. I pick it up only when it suits me; it's not my constant sidekick like it is for Gen Yers. I think it is a major addiction for them. We need to acknowledge that this technology exists and has a function, but the gen Yers also have to respect those from other generations and show some manners. They need to use their gadgets only when it doesn't interfere with other forms of learning or face to face interaction.
Andrea,
and there is also an increasing problem with a general lack of social skills. We need to encourage our students to engage at the human level in its various forms.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Ryan,
WOW! What a can of worms you've opened with this topic! I must agree with Dave, Ed,Ned, ect.. While this technology has it's place in the world we live in, the fact is we have become socially accepting of rude behavier, to the point of making folks that use common(or uncommon)courtesy look like social misfits, or "intolerant".I too have caught students taking photos of tests,and other similar things that have far reaching implications, beyond the use of technology.These same people are texting while driving,and other inappropriate times with little if any concern for consequences. While out to dinner recently, I observed a couple with two children sitting at the next table. Both the mother and father were completely preoccupied with phone in hand,the whole time, with only a "need to" break for an occational question from the waittress.It was as if the kids were'nt there! These children become our students! Is it any wonder we struggle with balance ? In my electrical diag. class, I have students use the phone for a calculator, and occationally research. I've also found that most of them have an app with very high frequency ring tones that we can use while discussing ultrasonic sensors. They love using the phone to learn. If ethic and manors were a constant, this(personal technology) would be an easy and positive addition to any class room!
I think it was stated that they just want things to work, period. I might argue that Gen Y has not in fact embraced technology, and that they avoid it, which is allowing other contries to move ahead of America in the development of new technologies. True enough, Gen Y views the availability as a birth right, but they can neither fix it or design it. I am always saddened when I hear a parent comment at how technologically adept their child is, referring to how well they navigate a computer. However, they are simply benefitting from the technology that was developed by the Boomers and proliferated by the Xers. Regretfully, technology for Gen Y has really become a distraction and a method of control. (Yes, I'm a Boomer - lol) Gen Y is also a generation that grew up with the Internet and video games as their baby sitter. I find it difficult to motivate them in class, and to instill in them a sense of self worth and responsibility for their education, which is intended to afford them a good career. I think that technology has only made them dependent, and the expectation is that they can simply jack into the Matrix and to experience life vacariously. They seem to have no concept that food and shelter come from giving an employer an honest day's work. While a white collar worker might use technology to earn a living, a trade school graduate will be expected to use their backs and the sweat of their brow to get a job done. Sincerely, this is why I was interested in this course because it is frustrating at times, and I feel as though I am the first person to ever ask them to grow up and to get with the program. Their parents had no expectations of them, nor did public school, and not only aren't they ready for college, but they aren't ready for the real world.
William,
well, I love opening the cans. I agree that we have become accepting of the rude behavior & it is sad to see. I do think we need to be careful in that it's not just the younger folks, but when I'm working with execs & managers in the corporate setting many of them are just as bad.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y students are addicted to technology. The use and misuse it. It is very difficult to manage in the classroom because they tend to be able to game the system any time you try to set parameters around their use. Fortunately the type of classroom I teach in, Culinary kitchen, the use of cellphones or even laptops is very limited and as such I only allow laptops during lecture portions of the class. As many have said before-on tests I only allow the use of calculators not cell phones.
As instructors we have to be aware that technology is a preferred part of their lives and usually a preferred method of communication. I teach a class of mixed generations/ages so I actually ask them to write down, on day one, which method of communication they prefer. That helps me connect with them. Second we educate all the students in various smart phone and tablet applications that are available to help in instruction. We are also very clear on our policy on use of technology in the classroom with clear consequences for those not following the policy.
Unfortunately they are so attached to technology that they miss valuable teaching moments during class time. Sometimes it feels like a loosing battle for me and other instructors. Not every lesson can be learned with the incorporation of technology.
TECHNOLOGY FACILITATES THINGS FOR EVERYBODY. ITS NO DIFFERENT FOR THIS GENERATION. THE DAYS OF CARRYING HEAVY BOOKS, AND SIEVING THROUGH TONS OF DOCUMENTS AND ENCYCLOPEDIAS IN LIBRARIES ARE OVER. EVERYTHING CAN BE ACHIEVED USING A SMART PHONE WHILE YOU LAY ON YOUR BED AND ARE ABOUT TO SLEEP.
Thomas,
this is a great example of how to approach technology use in the classroom. A key point here is that there are still those who will abuse the policy, but we hold them accountable & move on. No system is perfect & people will abuse them, but even that can be a great teachable moment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Dorenda,
this is true & I think that as we seek to find balance in how we teach & present information, we help our students to realize there is a balance in how they acquire that information as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think technology could replace us in the classroom,the world is full of online high schools and colleges, however in the lab environment human instruction and supervision will never be replaced.
Michael,
I think this is an ongoing concern with many instructors. I don't wish to sound "head in the sand" but personally I believe there will also be a demand & need for the face to face interaction between teacher & student.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Hello Ryan and class members.
The subject of cheating by students will continue to be debated through the centuries. As we learned in this section, human beings share basic learning characteristics.
Rather than focus on the negative and becoming pessimistic when evaluating students' ability to gain knowledge; I take it as a personal responsibility to provide evaluation 'activities' to encourage each student to 'show his/her stuff' without the fear of failing.
I have always tried to create a classroom environment online and in the traditional classroom that is non-threatening and innovative. In other words, I believe that students can be evaluated in various ways that do not pressure them to feel desperate or stressed to 'pass'. There are far too many instructors, who have learned from their mentors to create a threatening tool (test) to intimidate the majority in the class. My success has been to create an evaluation experience that is based on the individual's personal life experience that cannot be duplicated or copied from someone else.
Cheating occurs because of pressure to pass. It is the instructor's responsibility to move away from the true/false and multiple-choice mentality just because it is the easiest way to calculate the mid-term and final grades. -- Barb 7-9-13
I do not allow cell phones in the class room when there is a quiz ot test because I have also caught students cheating.If I see one the student is sent home and a zero is given If I catch them cheating the are withdrawn from the program.
Joanne,
these are the kind of situations that unfortunately arise & we have to deal with in this era of technology. I agree that these measures have to be taken to help prevent cheating.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Always pick up cell phones before giving exams, they are tools to cheat with
It's a constant challenge to allow students to use technology without it becoming an excuse to use it as on obsession.
