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Over the next few years I discovered that cell phones have the potential to be the ultimate data collection tools for students. Typical data collection devices, such as video camcorders, digital cameras, MP3 recorders and student response systems, often cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Many schools cannot afford such luxuries. While educators struggle to give students access to the latest educational technology, they overlook the fact that many secondary students already own an all-in-one data collection tool — their cell phones.

Adequate training is needed to help spread good practices and to better prepare graduate students for the needs of the current job market and of the job itself. In addition to enhancing teaching and learning, technology literacy will allow future faculty to better connect with a generation of undergraduate students that depends largely on technology to function on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, a recent MLA report on the status of foreign language instruction in higher education3 underscored that most incoming foreign language faculty would be teaching at the undergraduate level. The report calls for the integration of technology training in the graduate curriculum, asking departments to "take the necessary steps to teach graduate students to use technology in language instruction and learning." The report, which called for drastic transformations of foreign language academic programs nationwide, also emphasized the importance of providing graduate students with a good pedagogical basis.

Overall, U.S. colleges and universities are only half way to realizing the 21st-century campus, a new survey suggests

In a recent survey on technology integration in higher education, community colleges actually scored slightly higher than four-year institutions.

U.S. colleges and universities are only half way to fulfilling their potential for 21st-century teaching and learning, according to CDW-G's "21st-Century Campus" report. Only a third of professors said technology is fully integrated into the higher-educational experience, and although 63 percent of students said they use technology to prepare for their classes, just 24 percent said they use it during class.

The report outlines some of the suggestions student participants have offered for improving the use of educational technology in their schools, including: greater access to Web tools and lessons in electronic formats, such as PowerPoint presentations and podcasts; use of educational games and simulations; and links to videoconferences from subject-area experts.

Students, the report argues, are trendsetters in using technology in their personal lives and, more recently, to organize and complete schoolwork.