Technology in the Classroom

Mallory Cortis Pharm.D.

PGY1 Community Pharmacy Resident

University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

In society, each generation of students has grown up with varying levels of technology in their education. In the 1920s, radio allowed on-air classes to begin. The overhead projector made its move into the classroom in the 1930s. In the 1950s and 60s, the videotape, calculator, and photocopier all made their debuts¹. These developments could be considered relatively small advancements when compared to the technology in today’s classroom. The 21^st century learner has constant access to the internet and any resource they want or need, often on many different devices. Kayla Scheer, a middle school Spanish teacher, presents a thought provoking TED talk that asks the question of why we teach our students in a way that not only bores them but does not represent how they learn in everyday life². When most students of the 21^st century are presented with a new electronic device, they immediately know how to turn it on, tinker with the settings, and explore each new app and feature. The device’s unread owner’s manual is tossed out with packaging and giftwrap. So this begs the question, in the classroom, why do we still give students the owner’s manual? Why is it still recommended for students to put away the devices and read from the book or listen to a lecture? Students today don’t learn the same way they did in the 20^th century. Why not let them learn by tinkering on the devices they love and are accustomed to using?

Why should we as teachers embrace technology?

First thing is first, research shows most students want more technology to be incorporated in the classroom! Students say that they learn most when there is an online component to their learning³. The biggest concern with technology in the classroom is that it will be more harmful than beneficial. Likely, students will become distracted if they are allowed unlimited access to phone, tablet, or laptop in class. Many, if not most, students will be looking at social media, shopping, or doing other work. Some professors will argue the solution of making everyone put away the devices. But I believe that will just Band-Aid the problem. About 15 minutes into a lecture with no laptops most students are sneakily looking at phones under the table and attention is lost. So, what should we do? My solution would be to use those devices for good. Use the laptops and phones to connect and get feedback from your students. Use online quiz platforms that show understanding in real time. Give everyone 10 to 15 minutes to do some research (aka - tinker) into the subject matter on their laptops and devices. Then use an online poll to gauge where students are at in their learning, take attendance, and get them refocused – nothing gets student’s attention more than a fun and competitive game of Kahoot. I am not saying that this tactic can or should be used all the time (sometimes the boring lecture is necessary), but incorporating at least one fun online tinkering session per class is likely to refocus and refresh your students.

Tests and quizzes should be an enhancement to learning, not the end of it…

If technology today has allowed answers to test questions to be researched in a matter of seconds, should they even be test questions? Why should our students need to memorize or know material that can be looked up promptly in the real world? This, of course, is a question that has many reasonable answers, such as, logical and critical thinking can be gained, assesses baseline material needed to build knowledge, etc. Example - A pharmacist must know listed side effects of a drug even though she or he can look up the answer in a matter of seconds. The side effect of a drug can help the student make a logical connection to the mechanism of action. My point is, as a professor, you should be asking questions on tests and quizzes that allow the learner to critically think, learn from their mistakes, and maneuver their way to the correct thought process. Therefore, quizzes and tests should not always be at the end of the learning process, but during. Ungraded feedback quizzes allow for a positive learning environment that encourages students to learn from their mistakes. Using online quizzes and polls will allow you as the professor to gain feedback on yourself and your students, while giving everyone a bit of fun.    

In summary,

Students of today will be working with technology in their professional careers. It is only logical that those students supplement their learning with technology in the classroom to ensure their future successes. Allowing students to learn in a way that is fun and familiar to them will allow the ‘tinkering’ they need to learn how to critically think, research, and stay focused throughout. What will you do to facilitate learners in the constantly evolving world of technology?

References:

1.   The Evolution of Technology in the Classroom. Perdue University Online. https://online.purdue.edu/ldt/learning-design-technology/resources/evolution-technology-classroom. Accessed September 3, 2018.

2.   Scheer, Kayla. On Demand Learning In the 21^st Century Classroom. YouTube Tedx. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS7AFS0WmWQ. Accessed September 3, 2018.

3.   Dahlstrom, Eden, and Jacqueline Bichsel. ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2014. Research report. Louisville, CO: ECAR, October 2014. Available from http://www.educause.edu/ecar. Accessed September 3, 2018.