How do you use the technology in our classrooms to enhance your lectures?
I use PowerPoint presentations for almost every class. That makes use of the computers, projectors, and other equipment in the classrooms I teach in. I think they help to engage students and drive the knowledge into their heads easier. You have to put your feelings aside teaching and do your best to keep giving student’s the best possible experience.
How often do you make use of visuals such as charts or video/audio pieces in your presentations?
A word I like to use is “edutainment.” That’s really what my job is. To teach, yet, do it in a way that entertains and keeps people focused. Using audio/visual pieces in my lessons really gets at that. I might use a clip from a popular TV show as a miniature break of some sorts, that reinforces the previous point, to relax people before I go back to the content of the lesson.
Dr. Kathryn Elvey is a professor at Plymouth State University and has lots of experience in the field of lectures and teaching classes in the field of Criminal Justice. In her undergraduate years she graduated in only 3 years with a double major in Political Science and Religion. In Dr. Elvey’s words “I just wasn’t ready to leave. I wanted to learn more.” That thirst for knowledge of hers led to a full ride scholarship and after 5 years of schooling and a Master’s degree she figured a PhD was just the next level. “Criminal Justice was a great field of study for me…” said Elvey, “because the field is always changing and there’s always something more to learn.” I sat down with Professor Elvey and discussed the use of technology in the classroom.
Does technology help capture the attention of students? What works the best?
My mother was a special educator so she always focused on everyone’s learning styles. By using different forms of media in a class I can try to hit at many styles. I can tell you the audio and visual styles are hit with most of my presentations. It’s hard to make use of tactile styles in the classroom.
How often are projects utilizing technology part of your classes?
Technology is almost always part of my projects. Computers can be used to do something as simple as typing a paper. In classes that are not lectures, such as a First Year Seminar, I assign projects that use design elements like posters. Students in the past have come up with very creative projects that involve technology with use of social media. Technology is important because almost all research today comes from online sources.
Technology in the Classroom
By Timothy Healey