I m getting many fewer phone calls during dinnertime. All that dependence on on-line communication does have its downside. We find the students are unable to discern quality information from misinformation and junk information. Faculty members at Albion now insist that at least a third of students references in term papers be references from somewhere other than the Internet. They want students to recognize there are different levels of quality, with something like a book representing a higher commitment to quality than a posting on a list-serve does.
Some teachers also report trouble controlling the flow of communication from students.
Teachers occasionally find themselves deluged with e-mail questions and requests. Of course, not every college student today is a geek, glued to the Internet and buying the latest digital gadgets. He worries about the security of his credit-card information on the Internet and besides, he enjoys shopping. I like to go off and buy things in person. I have the physical product in my hand and that makes me feel more comfortable, he explains.