Classroom on the Go

As a student in my undergraduate work, I became somewhat familiar with the commonly used digital teaching tool, Blackboard. I also used this heavily during my graduate work, both at the same university. My instructors typically had us engage in discussions but it was also a tool for organization, a place to save and retrieve course documents, and find contact information. I found it easier to navigate than the tool I would later encounter, Moodle. The anxiety caused by that tool would soon dissipate as well. In fact, I will soon be teaching Developmental Reading and English via Moodle. I profoundly believe that these tools are necessary to the learning process and that anyone can learn to navigate these with proper training and practice. I also believe firmly that a positive attitude about the use of technology in the class can make a world of difference.
    Let me start with an example from my previous Developmental Reading course. The course, designed more traditionally than my current course, required students to access reading practice exercises and take assessments via a website that corresponded with the traditional textbooks. One student will always stand out in my memory. He approached me and exclaimed that he "couldn't touch one of those things", referring to the outdated desktop in front of him in the lab where our class was assigned. Though he was referred to the tutoring center for both reading and technology usage, he has always stood out to me as a symbol of many others who were less bold about their experience with technology. I can't help but speculate whether technology is a detriment to some students. In other words, does it deter some older, more traditional students from pursuing their education? There are definitely some alignments with age, socioeconomic status and such when profiling who is comfortable with technology and who is not. This being said, my full time job is at an Early College, where students are selected to attend partially based on financial need.
    Our school has a one to one initiative with I Pads. We are currently debating the effectiveness of these tablets since we have had several glitches in the system. These students, unlike the 50 + student described earlier, seem to have a natural  ability to navigate technology. These students share a financially challenged background with the older community college student but access and popular culture have played a role. On the other hand, I wonder if our students are truly accessing the abilities of technology access. Commonly, they engage in online discussions, share and retrieve files, use the internet for research, create presentations.
    As a teacher, tools like Edmodo, Blackboard, etc, are complements to the traditional classroom. I can provide supplementary tools for my students that may be optional. I can save paper in the classroom. I can have students collaborate on documents and projects. If I find something great that accompanies our lesson, I can quickly post it to Edmodo for student access instead of waiting for time to print a copy, make a copy, and wait to incorporate on the next day. In other words, I can utilize the "teachable moment". This is invaluable for me. I hope my students see the advantage that they have.
So, yes I do think that CMS systems like Moodle, and Blackboard enhance the learning in the college and even high school and middle school classroom. I think that like a workbook, test generator, or the old-fashioned overhead projector, these are tools. Tools are just means of delivery and sometimes the means of delivery happens to adhere to the changing world in which we live. Technology like this helps teachers meet the different learning styles of students. It goes beyond the student recording a lecture. It provides a way to access supplementary information on the go. I elect that our teachers get completely on board with this, and learn how to implement the tools effectively. I include myself in this lot.