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On the Roadwith Christine Maitland* The most interesting sessions at the recent NEA state affiliate technology coordinators meeting were presented by two NEA members, part of the X and Y Generations. These colleagues have a message those of us who work in higher education need to hear. Josh Anderson, an NEA member in Kansas, teaches at a Virtual Charter School. He uses distance education to assist parents teaching their children at home. Josh was a student NEA member before becoming a teacher. He's comfortable using technology and spends the extra time needed to convert his class materials to an on-line environment. Josh expects his Association to facilitate his use of technology, not put roadblocks in the way to using this new medium in teaching. The other presenter was Melissa Balog, currently the NEA Student Program chairperson. She talked about the use of technology by today's college students. Some colleges, she noted, will now accept applications only on-line. Computer use has increased for students, too. For instance, Balog pointed out, students looking for teaching positions often put their resume on the Web or prepare a CD-ROM as part of their job application. Technology is second nature to NEA members like Josh and Melissa. We now have students, born after the remote control, who've never seen black-and-white TV and have never owned tapes or records. These students come to campus expecting the faculty to use E-mail, Web sites, CD-ROMs, and other technology in instruction. We'll have to work to keep up with them. * —Christine Maitland coordinates NEA higher ed activities. |
