As technology each year becomes less expensive and further-reaching, Elon University professors are turning the traditional classroom setting on its head and determining what new tools are most effective.
The SMART Board is the new projector, Moodle the new syllabus, phone apps the new raised hand. There are Skype lessons and MOOCs, YouTube tutorials and Google Drive. The classroom today is a markedly different place than it was five, 10 or 20 years ago.
Each school at Elon uses technology in its own unique way based on the individual needs of the professors. Whether that be commandeering Excel spreadsheets, controlling visual aids with YouTube or using Skype to call outside business contacts, Elon’s technology has greatly impacted daily classroom activities.
The School of Communications uses many different technologies. The media rooms are filled with cameras, microphones and a whole host of other complex infrastructure, all of which are accessible to students. The faculty have integrated this technology regularly into their courses, and have generally found the user interfaces of the software easy to use. Different devices line the hallways, including TVs displaying relevant information about internship opportunities, events around campus and local outreach programs.
“A lot of professors here are trying to do new things,” said junior Daniel Schneider, a computer science major. “We have teachers going online using materials. ... [Materials] make learning more interactive for students.”
Schneider believes the Koury Business Center has a very practical usage for its tech. Each room is designed with specific uses in mind, and has technology that covers a broad spectrum of applications. That doesn’t mean the rooms are complicated and will confuse the tech-illiterate, which is helpful in shortening the amount of time it takes not-so-tech-savvy professors to set up YouTube videos.
“I use Moodle ... for grading, posting of PowerPoint slides, announcements. Hopefully I will start using it more for quizzes,” said Todd Stonitsch, assistant professor of finance. “I’m more of a traditionalist [in terms of hardware]. I use markers and a white board primarily. I use Excel heavily in class, but in terms of PowerPoint, not as much. My slides are primarily Excel-based.”
Another professor in the business school said he’s harnessed the power of video-conferencing technology to virtually bring to class a host of professionals who otherwise never could have made it.
“We have Skyped in people ... which is really great because it’s easier for them to get here. Obviously, they don’t have to leave their office,” said Kevin O’Mara, professor of management and executive director of the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Elon has managed to consistently stay up-to-date with the modern technological innovations. Since having the highest-quality technology is considered a strong-suit for college applicants, Elon has fostered classroom technology innovation already.
Continued improvements in classroom technology are being incorporated into future projects, like Schar Hall, the expansion of the School of Communications and Sankey Hall, expansion of the Love School of Business.