HON 1515 - Week Four

The discussion in Dissecting the Internet continued this week about the use of technology in the classroom.  Before coming to class on Tuesday, my classmates and I were told to read an article titled "Collaborative Learning for the Digital Age."  I really enjoyed reading up on the way Duke University (although I'm not a fan of the college) used Apple technology in their classes.  I thought many of the different uses were really interesting, such as using their iPods for social networking where they could conduct interviews and comment on other students' audio.  I really enjoy using new technology in my classes as well, as long as this new style of learning does not completely take over the standard style.  For example, I often worry that students will start learning entirely from a computer and miss out on classroom activities such as the discussion we have been having in class.  Discussion and debate will be used not only in the classroom but in future jobs, meetings, and even in casual get togethers with family and friends.

However, to be honest, I would like to suggest not always using the form of discussion we did on Tuesday, which involved going around the classroom and making each person share their opinion in turn.  I feel like the best form of discussion is an open format in which each individual can raise their hands and speak whenever.  This allows students to share ideas whenever one happens to pop into their heads in stead of having to wait.  It also allows them to build off of one another's ideas more naturally.

We also began using RescueTime on Tuesday, a program that calculates what we do on the internet and the productivity of our computer use.  I have found it fascinating to realize exactly how efficient my time on the computer has been and can't wait to see how the research of everyone else in the class compares.

On Thursday, we didn't meet up at our usual time or in our usual classroom.  Instead, we had met outside the convocation to hear Christopher McDougall speak and recognize professors that have done a lot for Appalachian State University.  This was much shorter than I had imagined, which I thought was good because everyone was tired, and it helped to hold students' attention.  I also enjoyed McDougall's falling out of a tree story/metaphor and the lesson it provided.

See everyone on Thursday!