So by now, all of you know that I have a pretty tight "no electronic device" policy in my face-to-face classes. (Mr. Boyd is worse than I am, referring to the classroom trash can as a "cell phone containment vessel.") From time to time, I've had students question why, as a technology instructor, I would limit their access to electronic devices. My answer, usually, is that they are distracting to everyone in the classroom and they serve as a barrier to learning during traditional lecture based classes.
Many would probably make the argument that one of those devices - the ubiquitous smartphone - has become almost an extension of or ever increasingly connected selves. And, on some level, I would have to agree. My students in the past always kidded me for being "left behind" when it came to cell phones. For years I held tight to my classic flip phone, refusing to upgrade. It worked fine for what I needed it for - a mobile phone. I hated texting with a passion, going so far as to have my carrier disable the service on my line. And then, back around Christmas of this year, I finally made the leap. With my new Android device in hand, I joined the masses - even if a little late - in the smartphone revolution.
Do I like my new phone? Yes. Do I play with my new phone when I could be doing something more productive? Yes. Do the capabilities of my new phone make me more productive? Yes.
Am I addicted to my new phone? Absolutely not. But there are those who are. And you know who you are. I see you in class sneaking a peek under the edge of your desk; looking for "something" in your purse; or texting in my office while I am trying to advise you on the path your educational career should take (note - this is very rude). But that's just my opinion, right?
To bring a little prospective to the discussion I offer you the following articles from the New York Times:
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts, so feel free to comment.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Little Reading on the Side
In cleaning out my mailbox, I found a couple of links to articles that I had saved to share with students. Here goes...
OK, so that should give you a few things to think about. As always, feel free to comment.
- While you were complaining about having to do your homework, these Teenage Entrepreneurs were making bank.
- Are you a good
witchhacker or a badwitchhacker? Or do you sellout to the highest bidder? Hackers With Enigmatic Motives Vex Companies - Got something you need to hide? The Tor Project is Granting Anonymity.
OK, so that should give you a few things to think about. As always, feel free to comment.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Welcome to CTS 287 - Spring 2011
Welcome to CTS 287 - Emerging Technologies (Spring 2011) at Edgecombe Community College.
If you are reading this, you are probably in my class this semester. (If not, you're still welcome to read along.) Since you are going to be required to maintain a blog throughout the semester, I thought it would only be fair for me to maintain one as well. I may not post as often as you have to - it's one of the perks of being in charge - but I'll try not to fall too far behind.
I will be posting items that are relevant to the topics that we are covering in class along with other technology items that I think may be of interest to you. And who knows, I may post something that has absolutely nothing to do with technology just for the fun of it. Yet another advantage of being the instructor!
I expect you to check my blog at least once per week. Checking once at the beginning of the week and once at the end of the week would be even better. If I pose questions in a particular post, I will expect you to post a comment in response - it will count as part of your grade for that week. However, you can feel free to reply to any post that I make. Also feel free to reply to your classmates' posts as well.
You may find it interesting to read through my blog postings from the last few times this class was taught (Spring 2008, 2009, and 2010). You might actually find something useful, or you may simply be amazed at how technology has changed in the last 3+ years. You don't have to reply to those posts, and if you do, I probably won't see them since I have no plans of re-reading my posts from the previous semesters. Links to student blogs from the previous semester can be found at the bottom right of the page. Links to student blogs from this semester will be at the top right. Student blogs may or may not still be available.
I hope you enjoy the class and your blogging experiences. If you have questions, let me know.
If you are reading this, you are probably in my class this semester. (If not, you're still welcome to read along.) Since you are going to be required to maintain a blog throughout the semester, I thought it would only be fair for me to maintain one as well. I may not post as often as you have to - it's one of the perks of being in charge - but I'll try not to fall too far behind.
I will be posting items that are relevant to the topics that we are covering in class along with other technology items that I think may be of interest to you. And who knows, I may post something that has absolutely nothing to do with technology just for the fun of it. Yet another advantage of being the instructor!
I expect you to check my blog at least once per week. Checking once at the beginning of the week and once at the end of the week would be even better. If I pose questions in a particular post, I will expect you to post a comment in response - it will count as part of your grade for that week. However, you can feel free to reply to any post that I make. Also feel free to reply to your classmates' posts as well.
You may find it interesting to read through my blog postings from the last few times this class was taught (Spring 2008, 2009, and 2010). You might actually find something useful, or you may simply be amazed at how technology has changed in the last 3+ years. You don't have to reply to those posts, and if you do, I probably won't see them since I have no plans of re-reading my posts from the previous semesters. Links to student blogs from the previous semester can be found at the bottom right of the page. Links to student blogs from this semester will be at the top right. Student blogs may or may not still be available.
I hope you enjoy the class and your blogging experiences. If you have questions, let me know.
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