Tech and the Brain: Does the Medium Change How We Think?
Presenter: Angela Galik
Organization: Red Rocks Community College
Role: Faculty
Track: Discussion
Topic: Technology and Media
Level: For Mere Mortals
Abstract:Do you think the technology we use in the classroom (and in our leisure time) shapes the ways we--and our students--actually process information? How are our thought-forms affected by the media we use to write, compose, or create? Share your experiences! This discussion will begin with a review of findings of recent studies on digital media and mental processes from the fields of sociology, psychology, and neurology.
Bio: Angela Galik has been designing composition classes around digital media for several years, in both traditional and online course delivery formats. At the same time, her interests in brain science and mindfulness pedagogy have led her to ask what impacts modern communication and entertainment technologies might have on the ways teachers and students process, think, and create.
Description:For this facilitated discussion, I will provide informational handouts summarizing some recent findings on digital media and the brain. The handout content will also be available online. I will pose a variety of questions for discussion, which, depending on the interests of participants, may include:
Have you noticed that different presentation media affect the ways your students respond to content?
What do you see as the strengths and drawbacks of different types of presentation/communications/entertainment media in terms of mental process that are encouraged or discouraged?
Do you see attention span as an issue for your students? How is attention related to technology usage? What do you to to capture and sustain your students' attention -- or do you divide your class time into "byte-sized" chunks?
What mental skills would you like to help your students improve? How might skillful technology usage help you to do this?
In the midst of a festival of technological delights, this discussion session will give participants a chance to reflect on the impacts of instructional and other technologies on students' (and teachers') inner experiences of learning and creating.
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