Technology and Learning -blog 1 of 5

This winter I am working on the second edition of my book, First Semester Success.   While the basic learning principles have not changed, one change in the college experience that affects learning is the use of technology.  Technology is both good and bad and it often can be both at the same time.  One thing you have to remember is that technology will ALWAYS be changing.   How technology is used today may be completely different in a few years.  The following five posts deal with the current uses of technology, both by students and faculty.

Technology can aid in students’ learning in multiple ways:

• You Tube videos can help you hear someone else explain a concept (Kahn Academy) or let you see a visual of what you are studying.
• Many students like to create their own Power Point slides as a summary of a topic.
• There are multiple textbooks supplements available such as practice tests, pictures, videos and supplementary articles.
• If you are struggling in a new subject, you can research background knowledge to help you understand.
• Ability to see pictures of what you are reading about.
• One new option is that when reading a textbook on a screen you may have the ability to have a split screen – one side for the text and the other where the reader can take notes.

On the other hand, some drawbacks area:

• Distractions – when you are on your computer it is too easy to check email, Twitter, etc.
• It is harder to concretely interact with the material you are reading if it is on a screen. 
• Many people feel we are losing the ability to concentrate for an extended period of time due to the rapid movement of screens.

Things we know for sure are that technology is here, it will always be changing, and the basic learning principles will not change.  So, your job as a student is to use technology to enhance your learning while minimizing the negative aspects.

The next blog will look at the variety of lecture formats using with technology in the classroom and how to use each to your best advantage.

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.