Can technology actually hurt the University?
University professors tried to answer that question at a forum on the "virtual university," held yesterday at the Institute for Social Research.
"It's a very live issue," said Music Prof. Edward Chudacoff, one of the organizers of the forum. "It's important more people on campus become aware of it."
The forum concentrated on the use of technology in higher education and was sponsored by the University chapter of the American Association of University Professors, the Academic Women's Caucus and the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs.
Panelist Lewis Kliensmith, a University biology professor, said that computer-aided technology improved the quality of education in his classroom.
Kliensmith said students in his classes averaged in the mid-60's on exams and at-risk students averaged in the mid-40's before software usage. However, after the software was implemented, the scores averaged in the mid-80's for the overall class and at-risk students.
Kliensmith said students used the computer because it gave students feedback and control in a non-threatening environment.
"These mirror the weaknesses of the lecture format," Kliensmith said.
Douglas Van Houeling, dean of Academic Outreach and vice provost for information and technology, also pointed out many of the advantages technology has to offer education.
"One of the extraordinary changes in the way we find ourselves living today is that computer technology is allowing large groups to deal with us as individuals," Van Houeling said.
Some feel that the use of technology will de-individualize education, but Van Houeling disagrees.
"The computer is very capable of individualizing things," Van Houeling said.
Kliensmith said that because of the large class sizes at universities, "perhaps we're kidding ourselves about the amount of human contact in lectures."
Philosophy Prof. J. David Velleman said he worries about the overuse of technology at the University because he sees the "virtual university" being held up as an ideal.
"It's a concept in where academia is being fit into a technology rather than a technology being put into a university," Velleman said.
However, Velleman said "the defining element of higher education is it involves a connection between teaching and research." Velleman said he feels computers can help in this relationship.
Even though the forum did not answer all the questions about the "virtual university," biology Prof. Thomas Moore said these discussions are necessary.
"Technology is here, more is coming. We must plan and learn to use it well," said Moore, president of the University chapter of AAUP. "We have the opportunity to minimize the problems."
AJA DEKLEVA COHEN/Daily
Biology Prof. Lewis Kliensmith answers questions after his lecture yesterday on the virtual university in the Institute for Social Research Building.