Transcript History of Jesuit Higher Education

Impact of Technology on
Telnet College Students
Presented By:
Canisius College
Student Affairs Staff Meeting
15 minute presentation
Technology in Higher Education

I believe that the motion picture is destined to
revolutionize our Educational system and that
in a few years it will supplant largely,If not
entirely, the use of textbooks…
Thomas Edison, 1922
– The introduction of new technology is not a
new phenomenon.
Technology at Telnet College
– Telnet College needs to continue to hold its
reputation in New England and the rest of the
Country.
– A systematic plan must be in place to combat the
problems new technology continues to bring us
and other institutions.
– Technology impacts students Socially, Physically,
Mentally, Emotionally, and Spiritually.
Social Problems

Isolation / Less Personal Interaction
– Distorted Image of self
– Distorted Idea of real relationships
– Reduced amount of social interaction
– http://www.loyola.edu/dept/philosophy/techne/conrad.html

Lack of Participation in College Community
– Less involvement in offered programs
– Internet use substitutes for other social activities
– Misconception of social interactions may lead to
stalking or harassment
– http://www.rpi.edu/~anderk4/research.html
Preventing Social Problems

Programmatic interventions focused on the
developmental problems caused by
excessive internet use.
 Train students how to assess their own online time.
 Monitor or restrict internet use of students.
 Teach students about the value of real life
and real life interactions.
Physical Problems Associated with
Technology

Physical Symptoms
• Eye Discomfort
• Neck and Back Soreness
• Hand, Wrist, and Finger Strain

Lack of Exercise
• Not as Healthy

Lack of physical activity and poor diet, taken together, are the second largest
underlying cause of death in the United States. (Smoking is the #1 cause.)

Staying physically active on a regular, permanent basis can help prevent or
delay certain diseases (like some types of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes)
and disabilities as people grow older.
Preventing Physical Injuries

Organization of work day to allow frequent breaks from
computer work.

Good posture.

Ergonomic equipment and furniture that support good
posture.

Appropriate typing techniques.
Vs.
Mental Problems

Academic dishonesty is complicated by online cheating.
 More resources and more information readily
available to students.
 Companies sell papers and other works to
students.
 Access to information is easier than thinking
for oneself.

http://www.studentaffairs.com/ejournal/Winter_2001/p
lagiarism.html
Solutions to Mental Issues


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Offer programming to students focused on
plagiarism and on-line cheating.
Limit unstructured free time of students.
Enforce greater penalties for cheating.
Train students how to become proactive in
the fight against academic dishonesty.
Use technology to catch cheaters through
websites like Plagiarism.com , Plagiarism.org
and Findsame.com
http://www.studentaffairs.com/ejournal/Spring
_2001/cheat.html
Emotional Issues
 Lack
of connection with campus
community.
 Impact on students’ sense of security.
 Dependency
Emotional Issues (cont’d)
 Feelings
of Ambivalence
– Towards peers
– Towards professors
– Towards administrators
GenX Spirituality
– Tom Beaudoin
GenX’ers tend to pick and choose from
different religions, possible due to
“billions of bits of information in
cyberspace”.
 GenX’ers have not been able to locate the
tradition of religion due to the popular
culture.

http://www.findarticles.com/m1548/n5_v13/21089008/p1/article.jhtml
The Soul of Cyberspace: How New
Technology is Changing Our Spiritual Lives
– Michael J. Farrell
Can denominations keep their body of believers intact
in a virtual world where it is so easy to get other
information
 Computers have transferred this world from better to
worse.”
 “Concludes Zaleski, "Our souls become what we make
of them. So will the soul of cyberspace, for cyberspace
mirrors us in our entirety, including our souls.”

http://www.findarticles.com/m1141/n14_v34/20232895/p1/article.jhtml
Me-First ‘Spirituality’ Is a Sorry Substitute for
Organized Religion on Campuses
– Donna Schaper



Can denominations keep their body of believers intact in a
virtual world where it is so easy to get other information
Computers have transferred this world from better to
worse.”
“Concludes Zaleski, "Our souls become what we make of
them. So will the soul of cyberspace, for cyberspace mirrors
us in our entirety, including our souls.”
Schaper, D. (2000). Me-First ‘Spirituality’ Is a Sorry Substitute for Organized Religion on
Campuses. Chronicle of Higher Education, Aug p. A56.
Department Issues

Residence Life
– What should student be allowed to view?
• Possible limiting certain sites.
• Teaching/educating students.
– Duration of academic versus other sites.
• Encourage use of academic web sites.
– Programming.
– Classes.
– How do resident assistants get students out of rooms?
• Educate RA’s on creating a positive welcoming hall atmosphere.
– How does the college create tradition?
• Build on the past.
• Create customs.
Department Issues


Student Activities
– Students are not attending traditional programs.
• Traditional vs. Non-traditional.
– Students lack in interest in programs and sparingly attend.
• Get advertisement out early.
• Program towards students interests.
Student Retention
– Students dropping out of school due to excessive internet
use.
• Update parents.
• Warn students.
Department Issues
Career Center
– Career Center attendance among traditional college
students is decreasing.
• Offer tips and suggestions online.
 Advisement
– How do you advise students taking courses online
• Mandate a certain amount of time on campus
• Hotlines
• E-mail Students

Department Issues

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Counseling Center
– Possible increase of students with feelings of isolation
• Educate students on the need to socializing.
• Program get the students out of their rooms.
• Teach students of current definition of computer
addiction.
Health Center
– Influx of student with vision problems
• Educate on proper internet use –
– Amount of time on Internet.T
– Taking consistent breaks (your eyes need a break)
Department Issues


Information Technology
– Technicians are constantly fixing broken machines.
• Teach students how to fix their own computers.
• Mandatory course with FYE
– Overload on Server & Downloading
– Update system
Media Center
– Decrease in media center by students.
• New computers
• New printers
• Connect with a computer supplier for specific deals
Tech Savvy Parents
“The more adults use and understand
technology, the higher is the value they
place on it as a learning tool.”

– Faculty, Staff, and Administration
Training in handling computer savvy
parents.
How Will Student Affairs
Administrators Be Trained?
Planning
 Self-directed publications
 Workshops
 The Internet
 Newsletters and Magazines
 Tutoring Programs
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