Technology advances on college campuses

Ryan Eldred

The Signal Staff

The overhead projector, once a technological breakthrough, is all but obsolete in college classrooms. Commonplace now are classrooms equipped with computers, HD projectors and Blackboard.

With technology advancing at a rapid pace, we are already using new innovative teaching techniques designed to enable students to achieve a college degree more efficiently than ever.

“I remember when I had to register for classes at Southwest Texas State University, I had to go to an advisor on campus to enroll in my classes,” said Robert Day, a financial advisor for Edward Jones. “Although this process seems old school, it was what we were use to and we never thought of anything different.”

Prior to the existence of the Internet, distance education courses, assignments were mailed to and from the student. Now students are able to complete courses entirely online by the various types of classes offered. There are hybrid courses, which are half online and half in class, and courses that are online only.

“When I was serving in the Navy, I wanted to get a head start with my college education,” said Martin Griffin, a salesman for JCM Industrial Supply. “I was able to complete my associate degree by the time I had served five years in the Navy.”

Some classes, especially online or hybrid, often offer podcast lectures to accompany the posted printed material. The newest teaching, innovation, Wimba, is now being introduced at UHCL.

“This service allows audio and video for select online classes,” said Kim Case, assistant professor of psychology and co-director of TLEC. “Using Wimba, students are able to attend class online, ask questions and provide feedback to the instructor in real time.”

The Teaching-Learning Enhancement Center founded in 2000 supports faculty programs designed to enhance innovative instruction and creative classroom assignments.

With online college classes becoming more prevalent, the library is providing numerous resources that aid these classes.

“We now provide film on demand, online databases which provide peer reviewed articles and course pages for students to refer to,” said Gerald Churchill, assistant reference librarian. “The library can also be reach by phone, e-mail, or chat sessions.”

The UHCL Writing Center has added a new addition to their online services this semester.

“Susie Queue, our new virtual tutor, can help with brainstorming and answer questions on the Web for those who are unable to make it on campus for a visit,” said Chloe Diepenbrock, director of the writing center.

Intercultural and International Student Services also connects to those who are on and off campus by fostering positive online relationships.

“From the summer of 2009 to the fall of 2009 we have had 879 e-mails, 232 chat sessions and made over 240 friends on Facebook from new admitted students,” said Sameer Pande, associate director of IISS. “We are communicating daily with people from all over the world who take an interest in our services.”

The more things change the more they stay the same. College textbooks have always been a major expense for college students. Although bookstore prices may not be dropping, students can purchase electronic devices that make books more affordable after an initial investment.

The Kindle, a wireless reading device from Amazon once retailed for nearly $400, however, this e-reader currently retails for $259. The Kindle provides over 450,000 books, articles, magazines, newspapers, and blogs.

The average price of a textbook in a college bookstore is about $62. The average price for an e-textbook is about $50 and is expected to drop to $20 by 2012. Kindle has also released an application for Blackberry, iPhone, and iPod touch. With this application, any of the three devices can download e-textbooks.

Students attending Pace University in New York, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and Reed College in Portland, Ore., currently use the Kindle in class. Abilene Christian University is also taking part in this technological phenomenon.

“For the past two years our school has supplied us with either an iPhone or an iPod touch before we begin classes each semester,” said Matthew Hunt, a student at Abilene Christian University. “We do have to pay the monthly fee, but we are able to download e-books onto our devices for a cheaper price instead of purchasing hardbacks for an outrageous amount.”

“I remember when I was assigned a research paper the first thing I did was open the encyclopedia,” said William Galger, a retired mathematics professor. “I am truly afraid that my grandchildren will not even understand what an encyclopedia is used for. Technological advancements have aided colleges in ways I would have never imagined. I cannot even begin to fathom what is yet to come.”