‘It’s just a better way to learn’ | Penn State students, faculty discuss technology use in classroom | Penn State, State College News

In a fast-paced society, some may find it difficult to keep up with the constant use of technology. Most homework and assignments are completed, reviewed and submitted online.

Unlimited access to information is helpful for studying and referring back to course materials for students like Zachary Lehman, who uses his professor’s online notes all the time.

“We need technology because it allows for quicker and easier access to material, especially for students who might have missed lecture or just want to go back over material,” Lehman, a first-year studying kinesiology, said.

“On the other hand, some things are just better done on paper, so it’s good to have a mix of both, like math work for example,” Lehman said.

Elizabeth Shoff said she uses technology to complete handwritten work with her iPad and Apple Pencil.

“I use technology in every single one of my classes, mostly for taking notes,” Shoff, a second-year studying biostatistics and bioinformatics, said. “I also complete all of my homework on it.”

While Shoff completes most of her course load with technology, she said she recognizes that not everyone has the same experience.

“Penn State offers resources to people who aren’t as fortunate as me to have their own laptop, such as the library and many different computer labs across campus,” Shoff said. “You can also check out a laptop at the library if necessary.”

Shoff said she’s taken classes that didn’t use technology, such as her creative writing class.

“(My professor) wanted us to be present and aware of our peers as we were learning. We ended up having multiple handwritten journals about the art of creative writing,” Shoff said.

Like Shoff, Kirsten DeMrag said she also uses technology for all of her assignments.

“I take notes on my iPad and have the professor’s notes open on my laptop for most lectures,” DeMrag, a second-year studying premedicine, said. “I have not had a professor who limits the usage of technology, as most of them rely heavily on it for slides and in-class participation.”

William Bierlair said at the very minimum, he uses technology to access his homework.

“I think it would be really hard to get through college with just pen and paper,” Bierlair, a second-year studying aerospace engineering, said. “Obviously our parents did that, but in today’s world, it would be increasingly difficult.”

Dr. Ford Risley is one professor at Penn State who encourages students to learn without technology.

“In general, I discourage laptops in the classroom unless we are doing an assignment where we have to use them,” Risley, a journalism professor in the Bellisario College of Communications, said.

Risley said that laptops are often abused in the classroom and distract students from their work.

“Studies have shown that students pay better attention and take better notes when they write them by hand. In terms of pedagogy, in terms of teaching, it’s just a better way to learn,” Risley said.

Risley said he sees changes in student engagement when technology is removed from learning — they listen better, pay attention and engage with him and other students.

“The fact is, we all, and I include myself, spend way too much time staring at screens. So, I want to encourage students to take a break and not do that,” Risley said.

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