Week 7- October 6, 2010

Entry 7: Due: October 6, 2010

Guiding Prompt: On the way home this evening, I was listening to a talk radio show and the topic was how technology was crippling college students. Needless to say, I was intrigued by the callers who were responding. A business professor from a Texas university, rated number one by her students she claimed, stated that she does not allow any form of technology in her classroom because she wants to force students (emphasis added) to interact and communicate. She uses Socratic teaching methods and believes that students today rely too heavily on technology and are disconnected socially, as well as, have zero writing skills due to their interactions with texting and social media. I'll have my own blog response, so feel free to hop on over to read my opinions on this matter. Quite simply...I want to know your thoughts. How would you respond to this professor if you were the next caller in line to talk to the radio host? BTW- he agreed whole heartedly with her efforts and hoped that others in the profession would follow suit.

I beg to differ with the business professor’s negative view of technology. Although I agree that it is important to implement conversation and social skills, I disagree that “students rely too heavily on technology and are disconnected socially, as well as, have zero writing skills due to their interactions with texting and social media.” As a citizen in society, as well as a future educator, I believe it is imperative for people to keep up with ‘the times.’ I actually believe we need MORE teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom. We are in the 21st century; this time is loaded with technology and social media. Due to this, it is important to teach students (and future generations) how to effectively use technology; it is a part of our everyday lives. Technology tends to be seen as a distraction: cell phones, texting, Skype, ‘tweeting’, facebooking, etc. I believe instructors should USE these technologies and turn them into a lesson or activity. For instance, turn Skype into an international project. For a social studies class, it would be neat to Skype someone from a different culture to see a different lifestyle and culture. In reality, this Texas professor’s stance on technology really frustrates me. I believe her classroom rules and regulations (banning technology) truly hinders the education of her students; they are missing out on learning how to effectively use one of the biggest piece tools in today’s society (technology).