A California state organization would like to see state campuses make more technological advances in classrooms to promote learning.
Associated Students Vice President Sydni Powell addressed the senate and asked for suggestions Tuesday on how to move CSUN forward technologically, to direct to the California State Student Association (CSSA).
“My vision of the ideal classroom is one that actually helps you learn, that embraces every student’s individual learning style,” said Powell, the technology officer appointed by the CSSA board.
Powell added that she wants to know what students want placed in the classroom over the next five to 10 years, while keeping deadlines and seeing how such ideas fit in CSSA and the board of trustees’ priorities.
“I like to focus more on the classrooms, that’s what I consider to be academic technology, like how is the advancement in technology going to help you become a better student,” Powell said.
Senators voiced their ideal classrooms as Powell took down notes to take back to the statewide organization.
“I’d like all my lectures to be seen on projectors,” said senator Ryan Melander. “It’s easy for note-taking on my laptop and PowerPoints.”
Other senators requested more lessons and access to the technology that CSUN already uses. Senator Ariana Hernandez requested printing stations inside every building, instead of just one centralized location near the AS office.
CSUN has already taken certain technological advances using e-books with the help of the University Corporation board of directors.
These advances have led to a pilot project, which has been using chemistry 100 classes to test the popularity of the e-books. Powell and the board found that out of the 1,214 students, 594 bought hardcover books while 620 bought digital copies.
CSSA has implemented the use of universal clickers in CSUs and there are four pilots planned by the University Corporation board of directors, and there is communication with Amazon to give students the option to purchase Kindles through the bookstore, Powell said.
“I’m trying to help students succeed, not try to figure out how create the best new iPad, but how to use that iPad in the classroom to help you get that A or that passing grade,” Powell said.
