How are you using technology in the classroom?

As a Broadcasting/Mass Communication major, I'm using technology
everyday to create and distribute media of all forms.  From field
cameras to editing computers, nearly every step of modern broadcasting
is facilitated by some piece of technology.  In classes, we are learning
how to use that technology and make it work for us.

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

More and more we see professors start to use the Internet, ANGEL, and
even Facebook to keep the class discussion going and evolving.  I think
this is a great way to further learning beyond the hour or hour and a
half class sessions, and really round out the experience of working in
our modern world.  Even technology we take for granted, like Power Point
and projectors, can help the teachers pass on information more
effectively, and give the student another way to gather and learn the
material.

How do you see technology improving learning?

I think technology will really help the professors take a look at what
is working and what isn't, as far as teaching effectively.  Concepts
that seem abstract when lectured on can be much more easily digested if
the information is given a different way, such as a hands-on
demonstration of an video editing system, or having a certain piece
of studio equipment on-hand to learn with before we get into the "real
world."

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

I think the technology helps add an extra layer to the teaching process,
and often, it really helps understanding of a topic.  Technology also
adds the ability to work hands-on with equipment and software that only
a few years ago wasn't able to be used by the student population. It's
really helping to better prime students for the work force, and to be
effective once they get there.

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

I think the college could really push harder for professors to embrace
the new technology - and use it well.  Too often we hear about
professors that do nothing but lecture without any use of other media to
help express the information, and too often we hear horror stories about
professors who don't Angel effectively, which can lead to confusion and
a lot of stress for their students

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

Probably the most difficult thing is bringing people of varying
backgrounds up to speed enough to work together on a project that relies
on technology.  The playing field is leveling for sure, but there's
still a gap between the people that are still learning their way around
a computer, and the people that were born with a mouse in their hand.
Production classes in the Broadcasting department are always fighting
this battle, where half the class might know exactly how to use the
editing system, and the other half haven't laid eyes on it.  I think in
the coming year we'll see this decrease, as the number of people that
consider themselves "computer-" or "technology-literate" rise.

How are you using technology in interesting or unique ways?

In my broadcasting classes, we're learning how to create content
specially for mobile phones, the Internet, and other modern platforms.
In the future, TV as we know it today won't be the dominant way of
getting media into your home, so as future broadcasters, we are learning
the skills needed to be ready for that shift.

How are you using technology in your daily life?

Outside of classes, I act as the Director of Technology for WTOP 10 TV,
the student-run television station on campus.  I maintain a network of
computer systems that have to do a variety of specific tasks to keep the
station running.  From general workstations, to servers, to digital
media players and character generators, each computer has to be working
at top efficiency to meet the needs of over 250 student members
everyday.  In my free time, I'm a bit of a gadget-hound, and love to
keep up-to-date with the latest technology and gadget news.  Also, I
enjoy running Linux computer systems, and help out with development of a
couple distributions, or 'flavors', of Linux that are helping to make it
a little more mainstream in this Windows/Mac world.  Also, I work
part-time at CTS at the Technology Support Center, helping students and
professors use the technology availible to them and work one-on-one with
them to resolve their issues.

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

I'd have to say my netbook, the EEEpc.  I'm always working on some
project for it, and it helps keep me organized for classes.  I'd rather
have the netbook over a smartphone nine times out of 10. It's just so
usefull.