He also frequently guides his students in the use of the Pierce College Library catalog system through the Pierce College website. "I am surprised at how few students really know how to utilize the search tools from our library catalog system on the Pierce College website. In fact, there are some activities I have them do as they use the Proquest system or Ebsco Host, or just the good, old-fashioned card catalog now online" says Warren.

Chat rooms can be educational
Chatting via the Internet is yet another vehicle for communication and a jumping off point of study in Warren's Intercultural Communication classes. Warren states, "My Intercultural Communication class was required to go into a chat room which had to be with someone that spoke a different language. So, we went into an Iranian chat room to try to get a sense of how can you communicate, even online, if you don't speak the same language."

"I really haven't had any negative experiences from any students about the use of technology, and, in fact, they welcome it and I think now, more than ever, students are expecting a level of technology in classes that they take."

Using chat rooms to study communication has opened the door for his students to get involved with technology in his classes. Warren says, "Even the people that are quite savvy about using the computer systems, frequently tell me, 'I'm glad we had this activity because I like to do this on the computer anyway, so now I have an excuse!'"

Warren's goals in using technology in the classroom
He was hoping to gain two things. "The first goal is simply so they know how to use the system," he says. "Some people do not know how to get on a chat room. Some people do not know, as I mentioned, how to access the library online system. The first goal is just so people can understand how to use the technology."

"The second goal is more content-driven. Going back to the example of the chat room; we've been talking a bit about how to send messages to [those in} close relationships. That's more in the abstract format, but when they then can see it online or do it online it's much more applied. So, I look at this kind of content-wise - how can we apply the content that they learn in class to these methods of technology."

When relying on the Internet, be prepared
When Internet sites crash during a crucial exercise, Warren is prepared. "Typically, I have a back-up plan that's based on some kind of written activity, so if we can't do a multimedia technology activity, I'll try to scale it down and have them do the old-fashioned way of responding to questions from the textbook - paper and pencil!" he replies.

"That's also true [of students] in the public speaking class," Warren says. "Even if someone had spent a lot of time putting together sound files and video clips, I tell them, 'You need to have a back-up plan that's based on the good old-fashioned pen and paper, because anything can happen and we all need to be flexible when either technology fails, it's a crash, or if we just don't know what to do to maximize the traits in that program or whatever it might be.'"

Students' reactions to technology
He has found that students tend to lose track of time when using the PowerPoint program to put together a class presentation. "What I have really found out that is exciting, particularly when we deal with computer technology in public speaking classes, is initially they underestimate the amount of time [they will need]. When they actually get on the computer and begin to put their ideas in the PowerPoint program, they realize that they have been sitting on the computer for hours creating something," exclaims Warren. "Theoretically, the software should make our lives easier and things move quicker, but as they create on the computer, there is no sense of time. That's a really neat reaction and experience I see from the students."

Warren has never had a negative response from a student about using technology in his classes. "It's really surprising," he says. "I always try to go into the quarter kind of anticipating, if we do this thing with technology, I'll have these kinds of questions. But, I never can anticipate how the students will react." He surmises, "I really haven't had any negative experiences from any students about the use of technology, and, in fact, they welcome it and I think now, more than ever, students are expecting a level of technology in classes that they take."

Written by Kandee Nelson - June 2001