While we don't want to use our blog for simply complaining, there is room for discussion of potential drawbacks in use of technology in educational settings. If you're feeling overwhelmed for example, find you're not alone: http://jasontbedell.com/overwhelmed-by-new-tech-youre-not-alone
"Recently, talking to teachers both in person and online, I’ve noticed a
common trend, one of feeling overwhelmed. Specifically, feeling
overwhelmed trying to keep up with all of the new technolog. People
outside of education may not be aware, but teachers have a lot on their
plates: rewriting curriculum to the common core standards,
differentiating instruction for all of their students, paperwork from
the office, planning, grading, etc… in addition to, you know, actually
teaching."
This article makes an important point that teachers don't HAVE to try every new technology that comes out. Then can pick and choose the one technology that they feel most comfortable using.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is that students don't have the same option. Students are forced to utilize whatever technology the teacher decides the class will use. If a college student is taking 15 credits (5 classes) and each professor chooses to use a different technology, then the students themselves may become overwhelmed.
That's a good point, Jeff. I've actually heard this from some student visitors in the Writing Assistance Center. While one professor uses D2L, another uses the LDrive, while another still uses a personal website. While one class requires everything to be submitted via D2L dropbox deadlines, another requires print copies of assignments only--and on and on.
ReplyDeleteMy concern was keeping everything straight in my class, and I hadn't even considered how students would be impacted by their workload in other classes. In my class for example, students will be using Facebook, MyCompLab (an online adaptive program with interactive tutorials and exercises) in addition to the work we do in the classroom. At what point does it just become too many elements for effective learning?
I'm *hoping* that the Facebook page will bridge the gap between in-class and out-of-class work, but I'm positive that adding even one more element might impede learning.
I absolutely agree. It is for this very reason that I started to use D2L and ONLY D2L in my classes. I was using a personal website, the L:drive, and sometimes D2L and students were often asking where items were posted because they'd looked for an assignment in the wrong place. I figured D2L was the one piece of technology the students were likely to be using in other classes.
ReplyDeleteI did try a Facebook page for a couple of my classes two semesters ago (and I have one for my major) going under the assumption that many students were probably checking Facebook numerous times a day (as I do!). (To be honest, I didn't do a great job with the Facebook pages!)
My social media project is going to involve blogging, so will still add another piece of technology. Since I have never blogged, I decided I should start my blog this summer and I intend to add helpful tips, for example, how to change the background image, or how to hyperlink, as I blog. I hope this will decrease the problem of having to learn a new piece of technology on top of creating the content for the blog a little. I'm also considering creating a pre- and post-class survey to get some feedback on the students attitudes towards technology and its place in education. Would it be worth creating a generic survey we could all use for our projects?
This was / is one of my biggest concerns about incorporating social media into my class. I feel that it is important for students to be exposed to the different trends, but at the same time I don't want the project I'm incorporating to be a major distraction either. I used to use a personal website like Abigail, but finally caved in and began using only Moodle (our D2L at my other institution) due to confusion it was causing students.
ReplyDeleteI would be very interested in hearing what students have to say about outside technology and I think a survey suggested by Abigail would be a great idea. I believe that Erica Merchant mentioned some of these data in her presentation, so she might be a good person to ask. However, I think there needs to be some other measure of assessment and I'm having a difficult time figuring out what that could be. Just because students don't like something doesn't mean that it isn't beneficial to them. Ultimately, I want my project to improve student learning, so other than grades, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to assess the effectiveness of their projects? I'm going to run my project over the summer, so I'm very interested in hearing from folks!
Nate, what is your project going to be? That might help us come up with alternative assessment ideas.
ReplyDeleteNate, I plan on taking student assessments at two weeks, midterm, and finals to determine how effective they feel the technology is. They will be quick, half-page surveys with both multiple choice and open-ended questions.
ReplyDeleteThis is more philosophical than practical, I guess, but I am interested in how the use of technology does and doesn't encourage engagement. On the one hand, having so much information at hand can make students lazy about finding really good material. And on the other, giving them links to essays, videos, articles, etc. can soemtimes really get them interested. Below is a link to a story about technology and curiosity. (I hope it comes out as a link; but at least it is the address).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.teachthought.com/technology/the-impact-of-technology-on-curiosity/