Rogelio A. Lasso, Washburn University Law School Technology in the Classroom: Bridging the Gap with the MTV Generation 1. INTRODUCTION MTV, the music video station, went on the air in 1981. Although many refer to the kids who grew up watching MTV as generation X, I refer to them as the MTV generation because they did most of their learning in front of a television screen. I discovered last year that students who were raised on MTV learn differently than I do. For one thing, they seem to relate better to a screen than to a blackboard. I would like to make a presentation about how some technological tools have enhanced my students’ learning because they compliment and assist effective teaching. 2. THE GOALS OF TEACHING ADULTS Many studies in the field of adult learning have examined the most effective techniques for teaching undergraduate and post-graduate students. The findings from these studies conclude that there are four principal hallmarks of effective teaching: clarity, organization, stimulation of interest and student engagement, and positive classroom climate. 3. HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN COMPLIMENT THE FOUR PILLARS OF GOOD TEACHING Clarity relates to students’ understanding of the material presented during class. This is perhaps the most important requisite of effective teaching. I intend to describe how technology can help make our teaching clearer. Organization. Structuring and ordering the presentation of the course and the class is essential to students’ comprehension. The more organized the material, the easier it is learned, the better it is retained, and the easier it is retrieved. I intend to describe here how technology can assist students in organizing the course materials. Stimulating Interest and Engagement involves promoting and maintaining students’ motivation, concentration, and attention throughout the class, and engaging them in critical thinking and learning. Students must be attentive to the instructor in order to understand and learn the concepts communicated in class. I intend to describe here how technology can help create a more stimulating classroom experience. Positive Classroom Climate. Good teaching requires an environment of trust that encourages students to pay attention, think, and learn. To generate a positive classroom climate, the teacher must promote positive interaction with and among students. I intend to describe here how technology can assist to create a positive classroom climate. 4. CURRENT TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CLASSROOM In this section I intend to describe some of the technology available to assist us in teaching the MTV generation, including Overhead Projectors, Computerized Projectors, Television, Videos, Internet, etc. This section would include videostreamed examples of some technology at work.