Mr. Lester Towell, chair of the department of Computer Information Systems at Howard Payne University, recently had an article published in the Distance Learning journal. His article was entitled “The Student-Teacher Digital Divide and Six New Technology Roller Coaster Rides.”

Towell has been increasingly interested in the student-teacher digital divide since 1998 when Beloit College released their first “Mindset List.” This annual list informs the public about the mindset of beginning college freshmen. Looking at the frame of reference for these students each year has made Towell more aware of the growing digital gap in the classroom. In the article, he discusses six emerging technology advances that educators should be aware of, including: YouTube, Online Collaboration Webs, Mobile broadband, Second Life, Ning, and Multi-touch Interfaces. According to Towell’s article, “to maintain relevancy, the modern classroom will need to include more technology content and more technology pedagogy or it may fade like the land-line; students of the first digital generation use the term “off the hook” to refer to food, not a telephone.” Distance Learning is an official publication of the United States Distance Learning Association. The journal is written by online educators for online educators.

Having served on the faculty since 1995, Towell is an associate professor of Computer Information Systems and an advocate for the academic use of technology at HPU. He earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics from Abilene Christian University and the Master of Science degree in Computing Technology in Education from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from NSU.