Do you believe the integration of technology in a
student's daily life helps or hinders their success? If so, why?
It is not only beneficial, but I would go as far as to say it is essential. There are a number of
reasons:
·
Academic life is highly
competitive. Not only does a
student need to focus on the material, but
they must be kept on track. With mobile technology they can do both. But it's not just owning a smartphone or
tablet, it's knowing how to set it up and use it as a portable, second
brain. A mobo brain.
·
With a second brain,
you can take notes anytime and anywhere: in
classes, at talks, when you read, and what you read. Forget the spiral notebooks. They're sitting somewhere gathering dust.
Mobile devices are always with a student, and always on.
·
With a mobo brain, you
can also study anywhere: e.g., while standing in line, riding a bus, waiting
for an event, with friends, before going to sleep, when you get up. It's right there next to you.
·
It's also important
not to forget things. A mobo brain can hold
assignments, help to memorize key facts for exams, and to remind a student to
study. In fact, my book Mobo
Brain also shows how to use visualization on a device (for example, on an iPad)
to understand the material, to build roadmaps that help students achieve their
goals. Using a phone or
tablet in this way helps a student retain information.
The simple fact is that the business and
academic worlds are fast going mobile. So, getting a head start in school can give a student valuable
experience once he is out and pursuing a career.
What tips or techniques do you recommend that could help
the college student succeed in their academic life?
The first thing I'd recommend is setting up their phone and
tablets to be a second mobo brain. Although you see a lot of students on their phones or tablets,
most times it's unrelated to their studies. So, my first suggestion is to get their phones
set up as portable brains. It's easy and with the
free apps and Cloud storage, it doesn't cost anything.
Secondly, I'd introduce them to drawing their material and
goals. It's a rather novel
approach to studying. And most importantly,
it's fun. It keeps the student
engaged in their studies. It also has the side
benefit of helping them retain information. Our visual memory is enhanced with this type
of learning.
Finally, I'd encourage them to take notes of all kinds on their
mobo brain and study at all times on them.
When you compare a student who is using his or her mobile device
solely for Facebook or texting with one who is using it as a mobo brain, the
difference is significant.
Do you believe these techniques to be useful after a
student has graduated and they start their life in the 'real world?'
Yes, business, legal, medical and academic
fields are fast going mobile. So, getting a head start in school can give a student valuable
experience once he is out and pursuing a career. Whether as a lawyer, a
businessperson, a doctor, or in the retail industry. Mobile devices are becoming central to the
job. And they are being set
up as mobo brains!
·
For example, doctors
are Mayo Clinic carry iPads to access a patient's entire medical history and to
access current medical research.
·
Lawyers now use
tablets in pre-trial and trial situations to focus on key elements of their
case and help with jury selection.
·
Academia is fast going
digital with papers, textbooks and courses available from anywhere over a
mobile device.
So, yes, having this experience in school is
the equivalent to having PC experience in their parents' generation.
No comments:
Post a Comment