How To Properly Address The Use Of Technology In Class
Nowadays technology is very accessible to all individuals and it becomes a source of argument when it comes to the ability to use technology in a classroom. It is crucial to determine a policy that addresses both the use of technology for note-taking and access to information. The policy should address cell phone use and the use of laptops for research and note-taking.
The first step a professor should take is to minimize the use of cellphones in class. Many surveys and studies have been performed to evaluate the role cellphones and other technological devices play in ones ability to learn and perform. A study performed at Rutgers University allowed students use of their device in one half of classes and banned use in the other half. The study’s results showed that although technology had no impact on their short-term knowledge and understanding of topics that it did have an overall impact on their long term knowledge which was showed through comprehension exams and cumulative exams. Using this in mind, cell phone use should be minimized and regulated in order to keep students on task, and a way in which this can be done is by developing a system in which no cell phone use is rewarded.
A professor at University of Colorado Boulder has created this tactic in which he rewards students with points who do not use their phones in class, but instead of drastically impacting students with no phone use he does it in a moderate fashion. He allows students to check their phones every fifteen minutes and then increases in to twenty minutes and so on. He believes that by doing so it will minimize the anxiety some students have with not having access to their devices. By using this method, it would maximize the use of technology in an ethical manner as it would cause no harm to the professor or other students as it would not interfere with their ability to learn being used only during breaks. Secondly, a professor must allow students with access to laptops during lectures and or class discussions as some students prefer note taking electronically as it is most beneficial to their learning style. Along with that, during class discussions having access to research is essential in supporting arguments and providing evidence to back up one’s viewpoint. A way in which a professor can incorporate technology in an ethical manner is to collect notes at the end of class. By doing so, it will motivate students who are on their devices to stay on task rather than to check email and or social media.
Another way a teacher can ensure that technology is being used ethically is to have online polls and or discussions, which once again ensure that the use of devices is ethical and not harming any students and their ability to learn. Lastly, professors can require meaningful participation in class which will make sure that students who are on their devices are paying attention to their professor and classmates as they will need to incorporate their opinions and or ask questions. These techniques will keep students who choose to use technology on task and will ensure the use of technology to be ethical. Despite limiting cellphone use and establishing means to keep students who use technology on task, there will be instances in which students will use technology in unethical ways. Students who choose to misuse technology will be punished through their grade if they fail to participate in class or fail to turn in notes because they were preoccupied in class. Also as shown in the article by Science Daily, not paying attention in class and being distracted with technology will impact students ability to perform on cumulative tests.
All professors will face challenges when it comes to learning how to properly address the use of technology and it is up to the professor to decide what is best for their class and their students.
