Instructional Technology
Conference 2007

Title: When in Rome: teaching 21st century students using 21st century tools

Name: Carter F. Smith

Audience Level: all

Audience: general

Length: 1 hour

Abstract:
When in Rome, do as the Romans. This phrase is often used to describe a “Plan B,” a fall-back position, or a less-appealing alternative. It is used in the process of explaining why something other than the preferred method was used.

In this presentation, we will demonstrate how the term can be used to describe the preferred method of teaching, as a vision statement, a filter, and a lens through which all pedagogical decisions are made.

Description:
Teaching today’s students requires alternative methods for gaining and keeping their attention. In this world of attention-challenged and tremendously busy scholars (on both sides of the podium), there must be a solution to the “communications gap.” Technology has provided us with a sort of translator that can be used to effectively bridge the gap and assist us with creating the learning environment both inside and outside our classrooms. Only by implementing the tools used by today’s students can today’s teachers effectively teach.

Yesterday’s college students were primarily considered “traditional.” They were mostly twenty-somethings who had recently finished high school and had chosen to follow the long-standing advice of past generations to continue their education. They were taught in college with the same general methods they had grown accustomed to in high school, and to which their teachers had grown accustomed during their own years in higher education.

Today’s college students are from another world. There are many descriptions used to attempt to identify the group, but none is as effective as “The ‘Net Generation.” This generation is not one based on age – it is defined by experience, and exposure to information-gathering techniques that place those in higher education in direct competition with such companies like Google and Yahoo!. The experience of this generation of learners gives them the ability to acquire information on virtually anything within moments of thinking about it. They are the users of microwaves, the purchasers of iPods, and the community members on MySpace and Facebook. They are digital (Roman) natives, while many of us are digital (Roman) immigrants.

The technology changes they have embraced give us, as those tasked with “educating” them, two options. We can embrace their technology, or we can deny its impact on their (and our) lives. The first choice will allow us to maintain our positions (both individually and collectively). The second choice will put us in a class by ourselves – literally.

This presentation will provide an overview of the benefits of supplementing the classroom environment by using various types of technology, demonstrate the use of a sampling of technology options, and equip the attendee with the confidence to claim not just an exposure to Roman culture, but genuine (albeit naturalized) Roman citizenship.

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

Contact information/affiliation:
Carter F. Smith, Assistant Professor,
Criminal Justice Administration,
PO Box 238
615-494-8721,
cfsmith@mtsu.edu