Get Your Students Hired
They view technology as needs. However, I as an instructor I would designate time and place for them to use it. It needs to be in silent mode when I am lecturing and out of sight as it is a distraction to many. Some students cannot resist in answering a text msg and would continue even in the middle of an important class discussion.
We, as instructors, unsderstand the "need" to incorporate technology into their learning but there should be rules and guidelines given in order allow other students who has different learning systems.
Gen Y Studebts and Technology. I as an instructor totally disagree with the use of cell phone and other technology in the classroom. It is great for the student as a reference tool but not during normal class. As one other instructor stated and I am sure there are plenty other instructors have caught their students "cheating or making copies of exams." Personally technology is great but use in a class room no. Technology is a great learning tool for the students.
Yes I totally agree. It is a constant battle with
student when it comes to their cell phone. You have to tell them over and over again no cell phone. Our school has rules and policy regarding cell phones and electronic devices, the rules are explained to students and they still sneak and break them, the phones are out. They feel disconnected they need to constantly be in contact with friends and family. It becomes a distraction.
Gen Y students view technology as normal and necessary. They have grown up with technology and the convenience of quick communication and fast answers is appealing and expected.
Yes, I totally agree. I feel that when I'm lecturing my students are so involve in what's going on in the social network realm that they have no concern in what they should be learning. I also disagree with them being multi-task capable.
Miriam,
this is a good point & a great story. I think too often we "assume" they can't live without technology when in reality they are just used to it & appreciate the convenience. Think about it for yourself: could you live without your cell phone? Sure you could, but you really enjoy the convenience. Are we that different?
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I asked a Generation Y student about their need for technology and they said they could live without some aspects, such as texting, but they would rather not. They are not totally dependant on texting and would rather speak to the person on the phone instead.
As a necessity. Technology has been an integral part of their lives and may feel disconnected or uncomfortable without it.
I have had the same challenges with cell phones in the classroom. Students have photographed tests. Also several Gen Y students have plagerized by copying articles almost exactly and not including them on their reference list. These were students that have difficulty writing and responding to questions. Once I found wording that I knew was not their own and that did not exist in any of the listed references, I was able to google the words and the plagerized articles came right up. Can't wait to get a plagerism checker as it can be challenging and time consuming to keep up with the students technical advantage. They are keeping me on my toes and on the look out for what is possible.
Carol,
this is a great warning for all of us & a great perspective from a Gen Yer.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am a Gen Y person, I see technology as a great "tool." However, some students do use technology as a way of making their school life easier. What I mean by this; is that some can copy and paste a report, or photograph an exam and forward the picture to other students. Some students need to understand that technology can be used a a tool and not a way to cheat your way through school.
It's a constant challenge to allow students to use technology without it becoming an excuse to use it as on obsession.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.