By Erik Luna
Technology has shined its light on a large majority of our lives, but it might not be the best for student’s education.
Sure, technology has made our lives easier, with the Internet and smart phones coming in to save the day, but it doesn’t always make life easier. I took Math 227 last semester.
Within the first week, I got my book and math XL code, a program that allows instructors to assign homework online. I rented my book from the Associated Student Union’s book rental program and, although I only stayed in the class around four weeks, I never felt the need to open it.
I believed the online math program was a godsend. It showed me how to solve a problem step-by-step and I was really starting to understand these problems. Wrong.
What had happened was that I had become reliant on the helpful hints they gave me to solve the problems. I would show up to class confidently and jot down my notes. I listened to the instructor and his review on the online math problems, and then I’d go home and do my online homework.
Everything seemed to be splendid with this new system. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, there’s a test today? Well, I should be OK, I mean I’ve been doing my homework. When it came down to taking the tests, I did horrible.
I looked at the problems and almost immediately looked for the hint button option that was given to me online. Along with the math XL program, some instructors decide it would be better to post things up online in the Academic Computing Environment portal, which each East Los Angeles College student has access to if they sign up for it online.
This could be a good idea, for example instructors usually put up the course syllabus on the ACE portal to let students know about what’s going on in class. Although, some instructors have a hard time with the ACE portal, they put up assignments and students don’t realize they should check up on it and ultimately don’t do the assignment.
Almost every teacher expects their students to have computers, or to have access to computers. The ELAC library has computers for students to use, but sometimes waiting in line can be a big hassle, especially during midterms.
Some students don’t have computers at home. I know a couple of friends’ who have to go to their friends house to do their homework. Instructors and students alike should integrate their academic careers with online studies, but let’s not leave out the traditional way of studying.
Instructors, stick to the book as well as online. Students, open a book and check your online messages and, no, I don’t just mean Facebook.