Socialization & Smell of a Rumen

There once was a time that cell phones didn’t exist in JV, something like less than two years ago if I recall correctly, it was a joyous place in which you didn’t have to deal with the hassle of that small electronic device. It’s not that students have them out during class, I have only had to confiscate one, but what I have noticed is student interaction. No longer do students mingle with one another during the lunch break. A good majority of them are plopped down on the stairs or in front of their lockers, cell phone in hand conversing with who I’m not entirely sure, but one could guess from observation that it might be the one directly across from them. Walking the hall once allowed students to interact with teachers as they walked through…not anymore, you seldom get a comment at all or have to give a slight nude to the foot to get them to look up. While I can recognize the joy they get out of their new technology I think that it is unfortunate that they are losing this social interaction and communication skills that they once developed.

Technology is great and I tend to use an array of technology in my classroom, but I must remind myself from time to time that there is a balance that needs to be met. Thinking for a moment as to whether or not the use of that technology will enhance the learning objective, if it doesn’t help then maybe it’s not the best option. It is alright to unplug from the use of technology and just dive in hands on. For example there are many great technology resources in which students can use to see and manipulate their way through the rumen or a bovine reproductive tract, but ultimately spending some money to purchase or spending time to call a few locations to gather these needed items will get the best results. The computer does not give you that awesome smell that can be wafted in while working through the lab – in addition some abnormality is bound to show up which leads to great discussion and conversation as to why.