Teaching styles change, goals remain

By Heidi Dunkleman
CU 125 Editor



Brett Mertins uses the computer program, Blackboad, in his Rhetoric and Composition class. This classroom, with both computers and a chalkboard, shows the contrast between new and old methods of instruction and how they can work together.

Photo by Heidi Dunkleman

“You are now entering a high tech free zone,” says a sign in the office of Dr. Ross Horning, professor of history. In this world of advanced technology, many would find that sign strange or out of place in a university.

Since Creighton was founded, there have been many changes in education, not only because of the advances of technology, but also in many other ways.

When Horning says tech free, he really means tech free. He does not only not own a computer either at school or home, but he also does not have e-mail, voice mail or a cell phone.

“ I have nothing against technology whatsoever. I just can’t see a computer in this office,” he said.

Horning earned his undergraduate degree in 1948, and he said that he favors the classical way of leaning about an actual subject over the way that many classes are taught now.

“ I had genuine subjects, rather than social studies. You didn’t have classes where you simply had problem solving, you had an actual course in history.”

He said that now, because of the focus on other areas of development rather than subject matter, students have less general knowledge than they did before.

When the university began in 1878, the school taught a very classical curriculum and continued to do so for many years. It consisted of subjects like Thomistic philosophy, science and literature. However, Creighton has developed with the educational trends of the times, including in the technological world.

Dr. Robert Whipple, the A. F. Jacobsen chair in Communication has seen much of the growth of computer use at this university. When he came here in the early ‘90s, only a few people had Creighton e-mail addresses. The first computer lab made for classroom use that was specific to a department was built in 1991. In 1995, a section of Rhetoric and Composition was taught as a cyber class. Since then, there have been many technological advances.

“ It is an exciting time to be a teacher because we have the opportunity to help students be better learners and thinkers by helping them use technology in our classes,” Whipple said.

Another way that technology has greatly changed the realm of college education is in the library. Michael Poma, reference librarian / library instruction, talked about how students only 20 years ago pored through indexes of references for hours, weeks in advance. He says that this generation of college students would have been shocked to see how much labor used to go into research.

“ The assignments are all the same; nothing significant has really changed. However, how you do it has changed a lot,” Poma said.

Creighton’s libraries have extensive online databases now. Poma points out that the system can be almost too complicated for some students because they don’t understand the database, but he invites the students to ask him and the other reference staff for help.

Dr. Scott Chadwick, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, works in the Office for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Assessment. Part of his job is to help faculty better use both technology and research to better teach students and assess their outcomes. He also focuses on teaching students skills that will help them all throughout life.

“ Students need to learn how to learn,” Chadwick said. “We don’t give courses in how to become a lifelong learner and how to love learning, you’re supposed to pick that up over time.”

Chadwick also helps faculty use their classes, no matter what the subject, teach students the lifelong skills. He said that they are willing to help students.

Horning said that teaching is like conducting a symphony; every conductor is different. Methods that might work for one teacher might not work for another. He has concern for students and although he may not use technology, Horning’s old style of teaching has its advantages.

“ Why do people enjoy Shakespeare? People like Shakespeare because it’s quality. You hope that through the various changes that take place in society that what you’re teaching has integrity and is worthwhile through the changes in technology.”