Get Your Students Hired
They view it as a given. Something that is a part of every day life, that keeps them connected to everything. Functioning without it is very difficult.
I have also noticed cheating with the use of technology. I used to allow phones because they have calculators contained within. Many would pretend to use as calculators but actually looked up answers. Only a calculator on tests from now on. I have also notice some Gen Ys can not write a proper sentence let alone an essay. They have tendency to misspell and use text abbreviations. The ones that are buried in technology also seem to have problems relating to people in person.
I don't see how the cell phone can be used in the classroom to anyones advantage.
They are addicted to it!! What I have observed with students and my own children is that they can't seem to function with out. As such, I try to emphasize that interpersonal skills are just AS important if not more so!
Nichelle,
this really can be an encouraging reminder. I teach a course on leadership & communication. One of my students made a "word cloud" representing her philosophy of leadership & posted it on FB. This was encouraging to me as it shows she's getting it & also gave me an idea for an assignment for the next time I teach this course.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Ted,
Great observation and I agree. Embrace the new technology. While attending class, I catch myself looking at my wall on Facebook and making comments. I have used FB to assist in answering homework questions. I am sure my students are doing the same. This is when I observe to their critical thinking and see how they apply the information they have aquired.
I am addicted to technology too and I am not part of Gen Y. I must have access to my smart phone. If I leave it at home I feel as I am not connected. I am Gen X and had access to technology during my high school year at home and school.
I agree I do not like the cell phones in the claroom. They can have the whole text book information within the cell phone as well as they can text the answeres to eachother during the test.
William,
while we do want to help our students prepare for their careers (i.e. no cells) you are right that we are often woefully behind in our true integration of technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y students cannot function wellfor long periods of time without some form of digital technology. Focusing on a printed text requires undivided attention. I have on occasion asked students to turn off their gadgets to focus on a text. They were OK with that for about an hour or so. But at break they were right back on their phones.
As necessary, important, and vital to their daily lives. This bent carries over to the classroom apparently so what they experience outside the classroom is hard to totally abandon in the classroom. I have heard of instructors that gather up ALL of the cell phones in boxes before the class starts!
However, sadly many colleges are way behind in incorporating almost any technologies beyond PowerPoints and wireless communications!
Ronald,
Unfortunately, I had the same problem with cell phones in the classroom. The standard use to be that students would take a test, turn in the scantron and leave the test on their desk for review after all students have completed the test. I caught a student taking a picture of the test and refused to allow students to keep their tests. I am not sure if other instructors are still allowing students to keep the test until after review, but I immediately changed this in my classroom. Technology can be a benefit as well as a problem in the classroom.
Christal,
this does seem to be the case. Although there is a movement away from technology as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen. Y students use technology for everything. I believe there is a time and place for it in the classroom. The students can use to question the authority, and knowledge of the instructor, but they don't consider the resource they used to try and prove the instructor wrong. They will try to cheat with it. Gen. Y students I feel couldn't function "live" without technology.
Terry,
these are great comments. I agree: we need to try & incorporate technology where & when appropriate but never let it become the "solution" to all issues/situations.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I believe most Gen Y students view technology as a 'must' in their school and non-school activities. While it can occasionally frustrate me to observe their frequent use of it, I have found a 'comfort' zone with its use. I don't pretend to know what they know about it, and I'm not afraid to ask for their assistance. What that being said, technology is an important part of the classroom, but its not a substitute for positive relationships formed between instructors and students.
Laura,
I completely agree that we need to incorporate technology into classes. Unfortunately I've seen many instructors pull up YouTube videos (which can be useful)& call that technology integration.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As an older member of Gen Y, I feel that it is necessary to allow technology into the classroom. I learned early on that if I was going to keep students interested, then I needed to incorporate technology into my courses. I embrace the online learning tools and I encourage them to check their grades using their phones, etc. It definitely keeps them more engaged.
Melissa,
yes, unfortunately they have often not developed strong etiquette or interpersonal skills. One of the greatest gifts we can give this generation is to help them learn these skills now.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
They use it as a great tool for cheating. I have caught students photographing my test. I found that the cellphone had a copy of all of the tests the student had taken up to the piont where he was caught. Don't like cellphones because it is hard to tell when they are using it as a resource, personal business or just plain cheating. I have even caught them texting each other & playing games.