How are you using technology in the classroom?

In the smart classrooms I can use the computer and projector set ups for presentations. Otherwise I type notes on my laptop and use the wireless network to look things up for professors in class. I like having things in a digital format now that I have a laptop so I can just carry a single computer around instead of a lot of notebooks and textbooks. It also allows me to record some of my classes especially those that are mostly all lectures with little else. If I’ve got the class recorded I can go back and fill in holes in my notes later.

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

A lot of professors will use the Elmo projector to show notes or graphs. The Elmo projectors are much nicer than your traditional overhead projector because you don’t have to put everything that you want to show on clear sheets so that the light will shine through. Sometimes they can be a little harder to focus though. I’ve had some professors use the computers to show videos from on-line websites. Other professors have moved large chunks of the class, like quizzes, to online sites so that we can work on them at home.

How do you see technology improving learning?

I think it increases the availability of resources. A student that is disabled could enroll in an on-line class with Course Space and still be able to attend classes and get their work done without actually having to travel to a classroom somewhere on campus. With the coverage of the wireless network increasing it’s easier to do research wherever I feel like instead of needing to be in my room or in a lab.

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

Information at your finger tips. If you are working on a project you don’t have to go to the library to do all your research. Search engines like Google, Lycos, Dogpile, and many others allow you to search and find information in seconds. For example, in Japanese class I can use an on-line database to check unknown vocabulary and uncommon kanji characters.

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

That could be something hard to do. I would personally like to see more wireless network areas. The hardest part about increasing the use of technology is not everyone has the same access. If a professor decides to put all their notes, readings, quizzes, and exams on a web page but not all the students have easy access to a computer there could be a problem with the students not being able to do their work. Perhaps more labs able to accommodate larger numbers of students would help give them the access they need and allow professors to put more class material into a digital format.

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

I used to worry about compatibility issues. I use only PC computers but have taken classes that use just Macs. I worried that I would not be able to move my work to my PC to continue working if I couldn’t finish in class. Also as new technology comes around the older computers aren’t always able to support it. If I saved a presentation to a CD and the computer in class wasn’t able to read the CD I would have a real problem there. However, with flash drives becoming cheaper and able to hold more information a lot of the compatibility issues and hardware differences are huge problems anymore. A lot of flash drives are built with the ability to be swapped between a PC and a Mac.

How are you using technology in interesting or unique ways?

I really like being able to have all my work with me on my laptop so I can work wherever I go. Also I like being able to use a power adapter in the car so my friends and I can watch movies on long road trips and not have to be worry about my laptops battery dying.

How are you using technology in your daily life?

My laptop goes with me wherever I go. I make sure to have my cell phone on me so my family can contact me. I also carry either my CD player or my mp3 player with me so I can listen to music or recorded lectures as I walk to and from classes and meetings.

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

That would probably be my laptop. Because of its versatility and portability it makes getting my school work and extra curricular work done faster and sometimes more accurately than if I had to do everything out by hand.