Sacrificing the Sacred Cow: Reclaiming Technology-Light Sacred Learning Space
Concurrent Session 8
Brief Abstract
As a result of technology enhancements and social media ubiquity, many faculty have integrated multimedia applications in their online and in-person classes to try to best engage an increasingly technology-dependent student population. Despite efforts to create engagement, researchers have established that technology can have harmful outcomes in our thinking, actions, and learning. Over-reliance on tech applications results in a reduced ability to focus and increased distractibility.
Presenters
Extended Abstract
Online educators are urged by their institutions to create engaging learning spaces for their students. As a result of technology enhancements and social media ubiquity, many faculty have integrated multimedia applications in their online and in-person classes to try to best engage an increasingly technology-dependent student population. Despite efforts to create engagement, researchers have established that technology can have harmful outcomes in our thinking, actions, and learning. Over-reliance on tech applications results in a reduced ability to focus and increased distractibility.
Our good intentions to engage students with the technology they are consuming have backfired and we need to evaluate if we are reinforcing a problem rather than promoting deep learning. In this presentation, we will challenge the idea that more technology is better and push back against sound-byte learning. We will explore if we need a course correction of our technology-embedded classrooms and identify sound learning practices that can help us reclaim sacred learning spaces free from technology disruptions.