I have attended the University of Montana in Missoula for the past four-and-a-half years, and the growing trend of technology is continuing to impact the way we live and learn as students. I have personally seen and felt the effects of these changes as they have impacted my collegiate career.
Laptops vs. Handwriting Notes
One decision we face as college students that has a large impact on our academic performance is determining which method of note taking to use: typing on a laptop or handwritten. According to research, those who take notes by hand have better long-term comprehension, and this is the method of note taking I personally prefer. Students who write out their notes by hand have a stronger conceptual understanding and are more successful in applying and integrating the material than those who use their laptops. Students who use their laptops tend to have high verbatim note content, which is associated with lower retention of the lecture material. Students who use laptops can take notes fairly fast, mindlessly, and with little analysis. This fails to promote an understanding or application of the information given.
Online Classes vs. Physical Classes
As college undergrads, we have the option of either taking class at specific time, day, in a specific room, with a professor, or online at anytime, anywhere, and with no instructor. Online schooling has become more popular with the technological resources that are now available. Times are changing everyday, and technology is growing at a rapid pace. As a student, I find learning from a classroom, with a teacher, on the whiteboard to be much more effective. Being able to ask questions, engage in activity, and apply the frameworks is a lot more valuable than any answer Google can offer. There is something to be said about collaboration with others and the benefits group work offers. Talking through the difficult scenarios with others and then being able to explain it to someone else is how we as individuals truly retain knowledge. These benefits are lost by taking a class online. Most people take for granted the power of hands-on learning.
Textbooks vs. Ebooks
With technology growing, as a student I now have the ability to purchase a physical textbook or an online version in a PDF. This issue can be very opinion based. Students now days will more then likely choose the online version, because it is less expensive and more convenient. For me, I like to have the physical copy in hand. I usually end up writing all over it with pen, pencil, and highlighter.
Many will ask what does this have to do with technology? I think that it is important to remember that life is always changing and—whether we are students, have a career, or stay at home—we must adapt to the changes of society. What I don’t think, though, is that we have to completely change our ways. Some things will always be more efficient like computers or technology, but they are not always as effective. As humans, it is in our nature to feel the desire to want to interact with one another and complete our tasks by hand, which is why, using new forms of technology may not come as naturally to me.
(photo credit: danielfoster437 via photopin cc)
