Sacrificing the Sacred Cow: Reclaiming Technology-Light Sacred Learning Space

Audience Level: 
All
Session Time Slot(s): 
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Streamed: 
Onsite
Special Session: 
Research
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.

 

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.

Conference Session: 
Concurrent Session 8
Conference Track: 
Engaged and Effective Teaching and Learning
Session Type: 
Education Session
Intended Audience: 
Administrators
Faculty
Students
All Attendees
Researchers