It's amazing how quickly we adapt to changes in technology and then would find it difficult living without. For example, think of banking. Do you remember when you had to stand waiting for a person in order to get your money out?The image to the left is a slice of a computer screen shot. It shows just part of a page for the current Communication class I'm teaching. How did we function as an educational institute before instantaneous email? The system is exceedingly efficient as students are automatically granted access as soon as their data hits the BCIT registration system. Furthermore, only these students are allowed access to the information at our course homepage. I'm making a determined effort to completely use the facilities this term. Already, I can't imagine living without it.
a) The announcement feature is very important this summer as we only meet on Saturdays and Sundays. This allows me to keep them informed of important schedule changes or just about any important news.
b) Why photocopy an information sheet when I can upload the original file which can be read online? My class has 100% Internet access from home.
c) Instead of writing down a useful URL on the blackboard, it's much easier and more efficient to add it to the links on myBCIT.
d) I remember collecting portfolios in which I would get the students to write a series of short answers on different topics. I had to collect the binders at the end of term to look them over. Now, it's all there, online, under a message board area. I type in a question, they write the answers, and we all can read the results.
