By Matt Pouncy

College teaching teachers about technology

Aug 23, 2018 | 5:09 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — This is the first year that most students entering post secondary school were primarily born in the 2000’s.

Fall session at Medicine Hat College is about to begin, but it’s not just students heading back to the classroom.

While the students have been utilizing digital technology for practically their whole lives, it can be a different story for the instructors.

Lori Sumners has been involved in teaching for over 15 years, and is sharing with her peers how she is incorporating an app into her teaching.

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Sumners says she’s had to make changes to the way she teaches over the years.

“It’s kinda moved away from this static trend of, you know, the static overhead projector images, or the textbooks to these interactive software programs where students can move things, rotate things, put labels on things, and share with others,” said Sumners.

The technology allows Sumners to build lesson plans right into the app that her students can access at any time.

She says they could replace textbooks one day, but right now she’s using it along with texts.

“It just allows them (students) what would replicate a hands on, in person lab, holding a specimen in their hand.  They can now do that virtual on a screen with a 3D model,” said Sumners.

Most students these days have access to a smartphone or laptop and consume information through these devices.

Medicine Hat College is trying educate their faculty on how to effectively use those devices in class.

Jason Openo, director of teaching and learning at Medicine Hat College, says he doesn’t want technology to replace lectures but be used as a tool to make them better.

“We have to think about the course design. How do we maximize student engagement?” said Openo. “We also have to think about, is the faculty member prepared to teach online, and then what are some of the things we can do to help that student get to the point.”

Sumners says it’s not just about giving students access to online resources.

It’s her job to use those resources in a ways that will add depth to her lectures.

“As an educator my job is to facilitate their learning and to help them through that process. To create materials that give them the start so that they can continue to explore on their own,” said Sumners.

Everyone has a unique way of learning and Sumners says sometimes the technology forces her to think outside of box.

“I think that’s what learning is about.  It’s working outside of your comfort zone and learning new skills and abilities and not always just the content.  Sometimes it’s learning how to use technology as well,” said Sumners.