Journal 1

Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation
by Eleanor Yang Su

Students born in the 80s and early 90s are changing the way that students are learning in the classroom. With the technology of text messages, laptops, and i pods the student has become a multi-taskers and they are finding it difficult to focus in class. Teachers are making an effort to keep up with their students through technology by keeping their students involved through e-mail and class participation during the lecture. The lectures are cut short and there is more question and answer time with the students. A nice device introduced in the classroom, is the clicker. Students are able to take quizzes during class by pointing their clicker at the screen like a remote control.
It is important that teachers find new ways to keep their students interest up and getting them involved in class. Yang Su gave an example of a young woman that was talking with her grandmother and at the same time was able to check her e-mail, look at pictures, and check her myspace. Technology is a way for these students to meet new people and at the same time keep up with their old friends. Multi-tasking is how young Americans function in this day and age and even though some teachers might not want to change for their students, in the long run they are goning to have to make a change. There does need to be a class for teachers that have fallen behind the curve in technology. It will help teachers understand more about their students and will help them find new ways to communicate with them as well.

How would you include technology in your class with limited resources in the classroom?
I would post things on the internet with a blog or even set up my own website. I would allow my students to e-mail their work to that site, but major projects like "Final Papers" will be typed and brought into class.

How important is it to you to connect with your students through technology?
I think it is very important because that is how they communicate with family and their peers. It is the way of the future and teachers need to keep up.