Journal #1

“Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation”
By Elanor Yag Su

Summary of article:
In a society saturated with instant information, students are becoming distracted by technology. Beth Simon, a professor at UCSD, is on the front lines. She has developed software that constantly quizzes students understanding of covered concepts and material. The college experience is changing. Students are eager to incorporate the latest technology in work and leisure time. Many professors find teaching this generation of college students challenging, however a rewarding aspect is the increased teacher-student communications through the use of technology.

Questions:
I. What are some of the pros attending college in this technology-savvy generation?
Attending college amongst an array of technology allows for a very creative learning environment. Many classes are conducted through professional presentations created on Power Point by teachers and students. These visually appealing educational tools enable information to be updated and accessible with a click of a button. Class weblogs are another invention by this generation. Topics can be reflected upon and discussed amongst a professor and his/her students in an ongoing cyber klatch.

II. What are some of the cons attending college in this technology-savvy generation?
The article mentions the problems associated with multi-tasking, which creates quantity over quality. I agree with this notion and link it with a very fast past and demanding education. Another con I have noticed the failure to remember how it was before this influx of technology. I have seen college students not able to find a book in the library according to the dewy decimal system. One student commented that she was so used to gathering research off of the internet that it had been such a long time since she has had to look up an actual book.