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Hands “on” learning: Hands on what?; is the question.
by Eric Gardner

 In continuing with the theme of my previous blog, I seem to be thinking more about how laptops have dramatically changed student interaction in my classroom.   As typical, today I had to ask a few times for my students to take their hands ”off” their keyboards. For some that have voice activated computers, I have to ask them to take their voices ”off” their computers to get their attention in order to see the demonstration that I was conducting.

 It seems like not too long ago I recall learning how to use this “new” device called a mouse. The possibilities for improving the science classroom instruction with computers seemed unlimited. Touch screens and voice activated computers have made it much easier interacting with the computers. Science labs can be done entirely from hand held devices, such as the new SPARK® from PASCO Scientific.   I am reminded of the scenes from my first visit in the mid 1970’s to the “Spaceship Earth” in EPCOT. I remember the children in school holding “computer– books” as they conducted a science lab aboard the “future” space station. In the words of Yogi Berra, “The future ain’t what it used to be.”
We are in the midst of a revolution in many classrooms. The introduction of laptops seems to be the ring leader. As with any tool, there seems to be many appropriate uses and many questionable uses. Technology has typically been received with welcome arms in science classrooms. The challenges come when we ask students to dialog, reflect, and write. Students often hear a “Hands off the computer”, “Screens down”, or an “Eyes up front, shut ‘em down” as they are lured by the new world just a key stroke away.
There are several student computer monitoring programs on the market. We were unable to get SynchronEyes® software to work on our wireless environment. Next year we will try DyKnow®. The argument against such restrictions on students is to not “force” a student to pay attention in class and that they need to be disciplined. While I agree to some extent, a generation ago, when we were bored in class, we doodled, wrote a note, or simply daydreamed. Neither of these activities interfered with anyone else in the class. If Johnny in the front row decides to check out the surf report, he now has the students behind him catching a “classroom” wave too. It is just too tempting not to look. A colleague of mine commented on how surprised recently as she was observing law students at Harvard checking e-mail, shopping on E-bay, etc., during a lecture. It seems that the students that focus best, have the most discipline and are responsible for their own learning will always be successful.
When talking to students outside of class, they are open about the challenges they face now, and will face in college. They admit it is difficult, but not impossible, to keep their hands “off” the keyboard when they have to. It is quite a challenge to keep their minds “on” and their hands ”off”. There are far too many stories of people walking into polls, down stairs, into parked cars, etc. while texting. I guess too much technology can be lethal. Let’s keep our eyes on the road and our hands upon the wheel.  

 

About Eric

B.S. Meteorology & Oceanography S.U.N.Y Maritime College 1983
M.S.T. Teaching Physics F.A.U. 1993
PASCO PEER trainer, Summer Institute co-leader (approximately 11 years)
Phase II Modeling Physics Teacher (ASU) 1997
Modeling Physics Workshop Leader
Public High School Teacher (17 years)
Teaching Physics and Chemistry at The Benjamin School, Jupiter,FL (4th year)
Associate Professor of Physics at Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach (8 years)
Former NOAA Commissioned officer
Married 22 years - Donna
Three children Nicholas, Jenna, Stephen

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