Blog Post #14

       This article is examining a new way to use textbooks. In a effort to see if college students are reading their text, professors are using CourseSmart, which is a type of E-reader, to see how much time students are reading their text. This program monitors how long the reader is open, and in use. This also allows professors to examine students study habits, and see if some sort of intervention is needed. There are a few technicalities that should be worked out, about students leaving the course open to make teachers think they are working on homework. Although, it goes on to say that this program will hold students accountable, and make them work harder knowing that their teachers are "watching" them, and their habits. The students ultimately don't want to give their teachers a bad impression of them.

My point of view as a teacher is that this could possibly be a good tool. Almost everyone these days has some sort of E-reader, whether it be on their phone, or tablet. This also would save students hundreds of dollars that are spent on text books each semester, that are usually not used very often. I think just being able to give our feedback, and ideas on how to help our struggling students is enough to give the program a try.  On the other hand, like the article said, there would be many ways that students could make the data unreliable .If they can come up with an idea like this, then there will be someone right behind them with an idea to overcome it. In my honest opinion, textbooks are boring and therefore hard to read and comprehend. I believe there are much better ways to learn and find new information.

As a student I would feel like this is a free pass. There are so many easy ways to get around this. Student are not dumb, and a majority of them are looking for an easy way out. I would however, want to be lead in the right direction to better my study skills if I was a responsible student. This would only work me if I was one to be truthful on the time I used the E-reader.

Questions for teachers:
How would you keep students from cheating by leaving the E-reader open?

What exactly will the data that's collected be checking?

How long will this program be studied and tested before significant results can be seen?

What are some specific way's this will benefit students?


Questions for students:
How do you think you will benefit from using the E-reader?

Do you think this will make you use technology more often?

Are you going to be more willing to do your required reading and homework, knowing a teacher can see the data?

I would add for the professors to always be aware of misrepresented data. Due to student error, and cheating. I challenge the teachers to come up with new ways to teach students. If a student is not engaged then challenge that student, and introduce them to new and interesting material to learn. Not only that, but show them different ways to learn. It's mostly the teachers job to help motivate student and keep them on track. Text books are not what teaches students at all, it's the material, various, and valuable sources, and teachers. Students all learn in a variety of different ways. Some may actually benefit from text books, but most won't. I never have.