Elena Buckley Research Question: How have the use of computers/internet inside and outside the classroom shaped/changed

the way in which college students learn? Is it possible for students to multitask while in the classroom paying attention to lectures and using the computer? Does it supplement learning, distract learning, or change the way in which students learn? Working Thesis: The emergence of the online world has strengthened the way in which college students learn through internet based faculty-student and student-student communication, the availability of course material online, expanding participation and reflection through the variety of blogs, and the development of ones community through social networking sites. (should I talk about collaboration between other classes in the same college and learning from each other --if need more information)

Possible Main Points in Support of Your Thesis: (1) Student and Faculty relationships EVIDENCE Email Comfortable environment for students which causes more students to email their teachers (look for the Meat resource) Studies show that a student is more inclined to meet with a teacher in person if they are emailing the teacher (zeller) It is a easier method because both students and teachers have busy schedules and it makes it not only easier but faster for students (my own response) (2) The availability of course material online EVIDENCE Posting Powerpoints for class the next day or the day of (posting information from lectures and how does it affect learning -some people argue that reduced attendance) Online test and quizzes allow the student to test themselves continuously (also students can print out this information and use it as a review for the final some people argue that this could lead to cheating finding sources for that CA) Twitter (teachers can post links for students that coincide with the course material) (3) Expanding the variety of participation and reflection EVIDENCE Blogs produced by teachers (students way of increasing participation outside of the classroom, for the students that are shy in the classroom) Facebook in which students take it upon themselves create class groups and communicate with each other on how to finish a math problem, further discussion on what happened in class that day, what might be due the next day in class

 Google documents where students can all be apart of one document and add information from what they took notes on in class and collaborate with one another Collaboration between classes of the same topic or correlating topics at the same university.collaborating two classes that are taken place on two different campuses (4) The development of ones community through social networking sites EVIDENCE Another part of college is learning about themselves Personal development of ones community online (interactions between friends and creating relationships online because with the internet evolving and will continue to be a big part of our life we need to learn how to use it in beneficial ways) Helps a student learns from the mistakes an a different environment Possible Objections to your Thesis: (1) Too much of a dependence on computers Evidence to support this CA: Students bring their computers to class and the process of typing notes could not be as beneficial as writing them down because it takes more time to think about what you are writing but when you are typing it is sometimes effortless Flaws in response to this CA: Not everyone is the same, some people learn different ways Go back to the type of learners (2) Distraction Evidence to support this CA: When students bring computers to class they can easily become distracted with the variety of information that is available online Facebook Although students can do other school work in classes that is still a distraction Teachers cannot always be aware of what the students are doing Flaws in response to this CA: Educators are used to dealing with students that are distracted and that even if computers werent in the classroom students can still daydream, doodle, read, sleep, text (3) Social networking sites can have negative effects in the future Evidence to support this CA: When posting pictures from parties or social events on campus this could compromise future job opportunities because what is posted online does not leave Departments have communities on Facebook; tell you when speakers are coming, scientists are giving lectures informs you of the larger community Flaws

 People have to be conscious already with the decisions they make and who they are with; people running for office are reminded of what they did in the past; celebrities are always watched This has been a problem already A Few Possible Sources 1. Information literacy programs in the digital age: educating college and university students a. ZA 3075 .1538 2007 (basement) 2. Online Social Networking on Campus Understanding what Matters in Student Culture b. Ana M. Martnez Alemn (online only) 3. The College of 2020 Students c. Martin Van der Werf Grant Saboteur (online only) 4. The Shifting frontiers of academic decision making: responding to new priorities, following new pathways d. LB 2341 .S465 2006 (8th floor)