How are you using technology in the classroom?

I’ve projected PowerPoint presentations quite a few times in smart classrooms.  I use my laptop to type notes in lecture classes, as I find it to be much more legible, not to mention more organized than when I scribble on a notebook.  Also, I’ve used Google in wireless access classrooms to answer certain Professor’s obscure questions; and you know they don’t expect anyone to get the right answer…

In what ways do your professors integrate technology into their classes?

Most Professors utilize the Elmo projectors to display their notes.  It’s a lot more effective than using the overhead, since it eliminates the need for a transparency, which are often dirty and smudged.  Also, it’s not uncommon for a Professor to simply project an actual computer screen, and run their notes right off their website.  This adds the ability to show videos, as well.  Of course there are also 100% online courses available now, too…

How do you see technology improving learning?

I’m not sure if I’m 100% convinced that it actually improves learning.  I believe that due to technology, we now have limitless resources available to us.  Certainly more than 10x the information is accessible to us than to our parents when they were in school.  However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that our ability to learn the information presented has improved. 

What does technology add that would not be possible without it?

I think that technology has drastically increased the accessibility, as well as the amount of information available.  This has the largest effect on conducting research, of course.

How could the University better facilitate the use of technology in instruction?

I think that for the most part, technology is fairly well facilitated here at OSU already.  If they’re really desperate to make improvements, an increase in the wifi coverage will always be positively received.  As for relating directly with instruction, not all Professors use computers on a regular basis.  You’ll find that a lot of Professors utilize technology, and that a lot don’t.  It all depends on the personality of the Professor, and the content of the course.  All that the University can possibly do is supply the resources, it’s up the users to truly utilize it.  I feel that the University has already done its part, in that sense.

What is your biggest challenge in using technology in the classroom?

Well, to be honest, my biggest challenge in regards to using technology in the classroom is to fight my temptation to not use AIM, Facebook, or even WoW.  Technology can certainly be great for supplying an abundance of resources.  It’s also great for supplying an abundance of distractions.

How are you using technology in interesting or unique ways?

Sometimes at work I find myself IMing a coworker who is literally 2 feet away from me.  I’m not so sure that’s normal, so I think it falls under the category of unique.  However, as for its practical uses, you’ll find about zero.

How are you using technology in your daily life?

Well, I work for CTS.  If I’m not using technology on a daily basis, then something’s wrong.

If you had to pick one technology item that you couldn’t live with out what would it be?

I think that if we’ve reached a point in our life where we feel that we’re unable to survive without our portable music, cell phones, MySpaces, etc. – then we’ve become way too dependent on the luxuries in life, and we’re in serious trouble.  Seriously though, I think I’d die without the internet…