Impact of Technology on Telnet College Students

1. Impact of Technology on Telnet College Students Presented By: Canisius College Student Affairs Staff Meeting 15 minute presentation

2. Technology in Higher Education • I believe that the motion picture is destined to revolutionize our Educational system and that in a few years it will supplant largely,If not entirely, the use of textbooks… Thomas Edison, 1922 • The introduction of new technology is not a new phenomenon.

3. Technology at Telnet College • Telnet College needs to continue to hold its reputation in New England and the rest of the Country. • A systematic plan must be in place to combat the problems new technology continues to bring us and other institutions. • Technology impacts students Socially, Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and Spiritually.

4. Social Problems • Isolation / Less Personal Interaction • Distorted Image of self • Distorted Idea of real relationships • Reduced amount of social interaction • http://www.loyola.edu/dept/philosophy/techne/conrad.html • Lack of Participation in College Community • Less involvement in offered programs • Internet use substitutes for other social activities • Misconception of social interactions may lead to stalking or harassment • http://www.rpi.edu/~anderk4/research.html

5. Preventing Social Problems • Programmatic interventions focused on the developmental problems caused by excessive internet use. • Train students how to assess their own on-line time. • Monitor or restrict internet use of students. • Teach students about the value of real life and real life interactions.

6. Physical Problems Associated with Technology • Physical Symptoms • Eye Discomfort • Neck and Back Soreness • Hand, Wrist, and Finger Strain • Lack of Exercise • Not as Healthy • Lack of physical activity and poor diet, taken together, are the second largest underlying cause of death in the United States. (Smoking is the #1 cause.) • Staying physically active on a regular, permanent basis can help prevent or delay certain diseases (like some types of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes) and disabilities as people grow older.

7. Preventing Physical Injuries • Organization of work day to allow frequent breaks from computer work. • Good posture. Vs. • Ergonomic equipment and furniture that support good posture. • Appropriate typing techniques.

8. Mental Problems • Academic dishonesty is complicated by on-line cheating. • More resources and more information readily available to students. • Companies sell papers and other works to students. • Access to information is easier than thinking for oneself. • http://www.studentaffairs.com/ejournal/Winter_2001/plagiarism.html

9. Solutions to Mental Issues • Offer programming to students focused on plagiarism and on-line cheating. • Limit unstructured free time of students. • Enforce greater penalties for cheating. • Train students how to become proactive in the fight against academic dishonesty. • Use technology to catch cheaters through websites like Plagiarism.com , Plagiarism.org and Findsame.com • http://www.studentaffairs.com/ejournal/Spring_2001/cheat.html

10. Emotional Issues • Lack of connection with campus community. • Impact on students’ sense of security. • Dependency

11. Emotional Issues (cont’d) • Feelings of Ambivalence • Towards peers • Towards professors • Towards administrators

12. GenX Spirituality – Tom Beaudoin • GenX’ers tend to pick and choose from different religions, possible due to “billions of bits of information in cyberspace”. • GenX’ers have not been able to locate the tradition of religion due to the popular culture. http://www.findarticles.com/m1548/n5_v13/21089008/p1/article.jhtml

13. The Soul of Cyberspace: How New Technology is Changing Our Spiritual Lives – Michael J. Farrell • Can denominations keep their body of believers intact in a virtual world where it is so easy to get other information • Computers have transferred this world from better to worse.” • “Concludes Zaleski, "Our souls become what we make of them. So will the soul of cyberspace, for cyberspace mirrors us in our entirety, including our souls.” http://www.findarticles.com/m1141/n14_v34/20232895/p1/article.jhtml

14. Me-First ‘Spirituality’ Is a Sorry Substitute for Organized Religion on Campuses – Donna Schaper • Can denominations keep their body of believers intact in a virtual world where it is so easy to get other information • Computers have transferred this world from better to worse.” • “Concludes Zaleski, "Our souls become what we make of them. So will the soul of cyberspace, for cyberspace mirrors us in our entirety, including our souls.” Schaper, D. (2000). Me-First ‘Spirituality’ Is a Sorry Substitute for Organized Religion on Campuses. Chronicle of Higher Education, Aug p. A56.

15. Department Issues • Residence Life • What should student be allowed to view? • Possible limiting certain sites. • Teaching/educating students. • Duration of academic versus other sites. • Encourage use of academic web sites. • Programming. • Classes. • How do resident assistants get students out of rooms? • Educate RA’s on creating a positive welcoming hall atmosphere. • How does the college create tradition? • Build on the past. • Create customs.

16. Department Issues • Student Activities • Students are not attending traditional programs. • Traditional vs. Non-traditional. • Students lack in interest in programs and sparingly attend. • Get advertisement out early. • Program towards students interests. • Student Retention • Students dropping out of school due to excessive internet use. • Update parents. • Warn students.

17. Department Issues • Career Center • Career Center attendance among traditional college students is decreasing. • Offer tips and suggestions online. • Advisement • How do you advise students taking courses online • Mandate a certain amount of time on campus • Hotlines • E-mail Students

18. Department Issues • Counseling Center • Possible increase of students with feelings of isolation • Educate students on the need to socializing. • Program get the students out of their rooms. • Teach students of current definition of computer addiction. • Health Center • Influx of student with vision problems • Educate on proper internet use – • Amount of time on Internet.T • Taking consistent breaks (your eyes need a break)

19. Department Issues • Information Technology • Technicians are constantly fixing broken machines. • Teach students how to fix their own computers. • Mandatory course with FYE • Overload on Server & Downloading • Update system • Media Center • Decrease in media center by students. • New computers • New printers • Connect with a computer supplier for specific deals

20. Tech Savvy Parents • “The more adults use and understand technology, the higher is the value they place on it as a learning tool.” • Faculty, Staff, and Administration Training in handling computer savvy parents.

21. How Will Student Affairs Administrators Be Trained? • Planning • Self-directed publications • Workshops • The Internet • Newsletters and Magazines • Tutoring Programs