Technology and Hands-On Learning

Over the years, technology has progressed in a way that has taken over almost every aspect of our lives, this includes everything from how we communicate with our friends (texting only, phone calls are not cool), to even the way we study.  And with all of these technological advances, life seems to have become easier; we have our e-mail at our finger tips, we can even order groceries virtually, but do all of the technology perks really help students study?

As a second semester senior, I have grown up with the advances and changes in technology.  I can remember my first cell phone, the screen was not even in color, and now my phone is in color, I can search the internet and even use it as a GPS system.  I have embraced technology as much as the next person my age; I Facebook regularly (too regularly in fact), I tweet almost daily and obtain my news from the web.  I cannot seem to make the plunge to using my computer for studying.

Numerous students surrounding me in my classes use their laptops in place of notebooks and pens to take notes of the lectures in class; I just cannot seem to make the change.  I need to print readings out instead of reading them off the screen, I need to feel the paper and be able to write all over the handouts; writing on my computer screen just would not be the same.  Copying down the notes on paper and making myself write them gives me a peace of mind that I am learning the material.  Mindlessly typing is easy enough, add that to the multi-tasking of checking my email, and checking my Facebook friends new statuses and pictures and I could not possibly learn anything! 

On the other hand, teachers and administrators are looking for ways to incorporate technology in their curriculum to appeal to their students.  My teachers have recently assigned quizzes as well as homework assignments online.  The convenience of setting quizzes and homework online with a time restriction takes the extra time out of the lesson and forces students to complete the task on their own time.  I do have trouble with the online assignments, and have to resort to ‘translating’ it to pen and paper, but I can make the compromise.  TestSoup makes the compromise easy, as I can write down the flashcard information that I have trouble memorizing to aid in the learning process.  Many of my friends have accepted TestSoup’s GRE flashcards to prepare for the next phase of their loves and have accepted and enjoyed using the application. It saves them a great deal of time and energy since they already have the flashcards made and handy wherever they have their phone.  Technology complemented with hands-on learning is definitely the way I go.