Forced into technology
I am an early Gen X'er and my son is clearly Gen Y, I was forced iin learning the latest and newest technology available. I use my I-Pad in my medical classes as much as I can and to let the "old dogs" know that we can learn new tricks.
Yes, I'm a Gen X also. My classes are all mixed and its hard to keep everyone at the same speed. Technology can be great if you know what you are looking at and researching. I find my students do better looking things up in their text book than on youtube.....Especially surgical cases, the internet can certainly access several pages, and can easily get the students off track to where they don't know what they are looking at.
Christie
christie,
this is a great point & one we need to consider. If we utilize technology we need to help our students focus & know what they're looking at.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Christie,
Dr. Meers is correct. Part of working with students is teaching them the skills to independently do research and learn to discern the material they are looking at.
Especially, in the health fields. Small practices to hospitals, technology is becoming more ingrained. Echarting, CEU's, procedural robotics. I am afraid it is evermore important to teach students to embrace technology.
Oh that's funny the "old dogs." It is true too.It is great that the Gen Y sees that othere generations are stepping up to the plate. I mean they are not the only ones to master technology. Albeit, yes we were pushed into it...it was either do it or die. And we can not die. (ha, ha, ha).
technology can be our friend when the rigth person is showing us the value--as the old timer here I know that the students are far more aware of how to use --we should not stifle but encourage their usage...
As a Boomer, and with most of my students being Gen Y, I do not try to compete with them regarding the efficient use of modern technology. When they show how quickly they can look up any information, I'll congratulate them on their ability to do so while emphasizing how this skill can be valuable in a team-based environment. Then, the emphasis will be refocused on how to discern the reasons and meanings involved and how to prioritize the data gathered, along with the practical application of the information the student provided.
Robert,
this is a great point & comment. Using our knowledge to add to their knowledge & skills is a great way to really help our students in their studies & their education.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
