Varun Joshi, a senior double-majoring in economics and math, is a Hatchet opinions writer.
Technology in the classroom is a double-edged sword: Many are optimistic that it will enhance visual learning and student participation, while others lambast it as a major source of distraction.
Still, it’s an undeniable trend that professors are increasingly adding technology to lectures. Given this evolution in classroom education, professors should realize they have the potential to radically shift the student‒professor dynamic, enabling far more effective communication between both parties.
The best way to do this is through a smartphone app called nClass, which allows students more freedom to participate in lectures and a greater ability to talk to their instructors.
Reflecting on my freshman year brings back memories of large lecture halls, and the very real fear that even by the end of the semester, professors wouldn’t recognize me. I was, after all, just one name among 100 or 200. It was always difficult to catch an instructor’s attention during lecture – whether because it meant a battle against a sea of raised hands, or because of the long line of students eager to talk to the professor after class.
Large classes also tend to make students feel self-conscious, less willing to acknowledge confusion and afraid of asking the dreaded “dumb questions.” I recall times when I wished I could pose questions anonymously, rather than saying them out loud. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised this semester when one of my professors incorporated the smartphone app nClass into her lectures. Because I was comfortable expressing myself during classes, I also felt I was able to better understand her. Without nClass, I probably wouldn’t have been forthcoming about my confusion.
The app has multiple functions, including automatically tracking attendance and issuing quizzes. But nClass is better than a standard iClicker, which many classes also use. With nClass, students can send the professor private questions during lecture. The app’s interface also includes two emoticons – representing confusion and understanding – that students can touch at any time to provide instant and anonymous feedback on whether or not they need a concept repeated.
nClass also helps professors tailor their lectures to their students. While a professor can presumably pose iClicker questions that ask students to rank their comprehension of a lecture, the interaction still remains one-sided. The iClicker doesn’t encourage independent classroom participation nor does it improve students’ abilities to communicate with professors.
nClass is also a far more economical investment for students, since it costs just $4.99 in comparison to an iClicker, which usually costs more than $30. Plus, while it’s easy to forget to bring a laptop or an iClicker to class, few students would ever forget their smartphones.
Professors should capitalize on our use of smartphones and integrate them into lectures. Doing so would give them a more active and responsive classroom, and would help students feel comfortable asking questions.
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