Wednesday, September 23, 2009

A New Teaching Method: No Technology?

Jinhyun Kim

Technology has become very beneficial in education in aspect of both teaching and learning. The form and method have been changing over time, and they are getting better and better in purpose of making people's lives better. Nevertheless, some teachers are against this idea, and they suggest to remove technology in class. Not because of technology is harmful, but because it is not very effective in catching students' attention and keeping them interested. According to the article "When Computers Leave Classrooms, So Does Boredom" by Jeffrey R. Young in The Chronicle of Higher Education, a survey was conducted among college students, and they responded, PowerPoint presentation was "one of the dullest methods they saw". Also, they answered negatively in all computer-assisted activities, indicating less technology, less boredom in class.

However, I have a different point of view in this suggestion of no-tech teaching method. What if it is not the technology that bores students? What if teachers don't know how to utilize effectively to teach students? Technology develops faster and faster everyday. It is not easy to stay on top of all of the technology that come out new even for younger generation like current college students. Many college professors who have just been familiarized with technology might have some difficulty using the full power of new means in their teaching. If teachers use technology merely as a replacement of old method, there is not much of merit in using technology, and it will still bore the students. Teachers who are skilled in technology and using it effectively will see why people develop technology and use it in education.

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