Limiting learning with excessive technology use

We are told that we are in the midst of a new era - the age of technology. Between texting, Facebook and "tweeting," a great deal of our communication comes from behind a screen instead of face to face. When our elders warn us that this can lead to no good, we shrug it off. After all, we are the most technologically savvy generation to date and we don't really know any different. Now I love Facebook and texting just as much as the next college kid. I believe technology can be quite beneficial, and a lot of times, fun. Technology can even assist in the classroom. However, I draw the line when professors rely solely on technology to teach the class.

Many professors use PowerPoints, clips from the Internet, and a variety of other computer programs to help assist their students in the learning process. All of these are great tools that help students understand the material and often times makes the material more interesting. However, there is a difference between using technology as a tool and using technology as crutch.

When enrolling in classes at the beginning of the semester, students have a choice as to whether they want to take morning classes or evening classes, long classes or short classes, and web or on-campus classes. If a student signs up for an on-campus course, under no circumstances should that course be turned into an online course at the professor's discretion.

Unfortunately this semester, I encountered an issue centered on "teaching" with technology. I specifically signed up for an on-campus class because it was a subject that I struggled with greatly. For me to grasp these difficult concepts within the course, I knew that I had to be learning hands-on from a professor who would be in the room to assist my classmates and myself.

It didn't happen. On the first day of class, my professor informed us that it was mandatory that we use a credit card to sign up for an online program that we would use throughout the semester. The program was equivalent to the price of an expensive textbook, but if it was going to help me, I was all for it. The program would have actually been quite helpful if it was used as a tool in the classroom. Unfortunately for me, the program was the class.

The professor actually informed that everything we needed was in that program-that we need not ask him questions because they can be answered online. This was not a program that the professor created; it was just a generic one he was letting teach the class.

During class time, the professor would read the PowerPoint notes that came with the program. When asked if he could show students some examples, he refused. He claimed that there were plenty of examples they could view online and that it would be a waste of time to go over examples in class.

Ironically, what was a waste of time was this professor's class. What is Bridgewater State College paying this professor to do - read off the internet? This professor never created a lesson plan and never put any effort in teaching the class. He simply used technology to teach the class for him.

It is truly unfortunate that Bridgewater State is wasting their money paying this professor, but what is most unfortunate is that hundreds of students each year suffer in cases similar to this, where they can only learn so much from technology without the help of their professor.