No matter where an Ohio University student is, there is almost always some sort of screen within eyesight — be it a computer monitor, cellphone screen or iPad.
Those screens might soon help educate students.
Students learn more and are happier to continue learning when they are offered the chance of a reward rather than a guaranteed reward, according to neuroscientists at Bristol University in the United Kingdom. Educators are using technology and games to test this theory.
Greg Kessler, an OU assistant professor of computer-assisted language learning, said he wasn’t surprised by the research.
“A lot of gaming research has supported the study,” Kessler said. “People in general are inclined to spend time in these game environments where they have to work to get something. People, in general, are using these environments where there is no motivation to wander around and look for something.”
OU has implemented the use of technology in various courses. Some courses allow students to check out iPads, iPods and Flip video cameras, Kessler said.
“I think that the university should help faculty come up with ways to use these devices,” Kessler said. “Even though there are teachers that ban some devices, I think that OU overall has encouraged their use.”
Information Technology Communications Manager Sean O’Malley said the benefits of technology use in the classroom depend on the professor and his or her teaching style.
“There are some settings where it is beneficial to have everyone connected at the same time,” O’Malley said. “It can start discussion. But for some scenarios, you may want people to have full attention on the speaker rather than to be distracted by whatever the device may be.”
Some OU classes use Twitter to spark discussion among students or to allow them to ask questions of their professors or peers.
Akil Houston, an assistant professor of African-American studies, uses Twitter in his Black Media class.
“I put updates of class lectures on Twitter along with reminders, due dates and extra-credit assignments,” Houston said. “Since it is a media class, on occasion, students will be able to vote on a particular film that they want to see. I try to use Twitter as a way to supplement things we are already doing in class.”
Kessler said Twitter has strong potential as a learning tool.
“If you are in a large lecture hall, students could tweet in questions without interrupting,” Kessler said. “Everything doesn’t have to stop for one person’s question. Twitter also offers many avenues to exchange various information.”
Last year, OU conducted workshops with faculty and students to discuss how technology can be incorporated in classrooms.
“Encouraging collaboration in the classroom is the best way to engage students in the learning process,” Kessler said. “I think technology can help with collaboration.”
bc822010@ohiou.edu
