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TALK TO US: IS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY A BLESSING OR A CURSE--AND WHY?

 

SUSAN ARN ’73 (LM)
As a math and preengineering teacher, I cannot imagine a day without technology. Here are some of the ways I use it:

•        SMART whiteboard: I can record and save any lesson, including homework problems. If students are absent, I can print that day’s problems or examples for them. I can also post the lessons on my class Web site.

•        PowerPoint presentations: Each week, the class views at least two or three five- to seven-minute PowerPoint presentations created by students in small groups.

•        Podcasts and video recordings: These are posted to my online geometry class. Students can work at school or at home, and they can also see their grades and upcoming assignments.

•        Online testing: Along with grading the tests, I can get item analysis and testing times. Best of all, I can save the tests. Students can also do word searches, concentration games, and other quick educational games that help them study.

•        Interactive lessons: There are thousands of Web sites for interactive lessons on almost every topic. I especially like using these for preengineering lessons.

LINDA WHITEMAN UHRENHOLT ’73 (LM)
As a former biology teacher, I was in hysterics when I went to the YouTube page mentioned in your article and watched Coach Tressel explain photosynthesis. 

I taught kindergarten through 12th grade for a number of years in California and now work for AT&T, helping teachers integrate technology into the classroom. 

I’m so glad professors are using the technology that students use. They are becoming “digital immigrants,” as opposed to their students, who are “digital natives.”

HUGH F. MADDEN ’64
Digital technology clearly provides an opportunity for all students to participate in classroom or online discussions. 

The use of an audio response system to judge how well a student understands what the professor is teaching is an excellent tool in the learning process. The shy student gets the opportunity to be heard and to participate. 

Interactive technology exists, and has been used in university classrooms, that allows a student ask the professor a question during the lecture without revealing his or her identity except to the professor. The professor can then respond to the entire class. 

I recall that it was embarrassing sometimes to raise my hand and ask a question about something that everyone else seemed to understand, especially in those tough math courses. I applaud the university’s efforts and encourage others to consider this new teaching method.