There is one student in my speech class, who is playing with his gadget while the class is in session. Just imagine what an instructor will feel, when seeing this happens. Others bring their laptop to take notes. Should there be a strict code of conduct in class room. This article is an eyeopenner.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/24/AR2010042402830_pf.html
I agree with what the last student was saying. As long as students are not doing things that may distract others, it is their choice how they spend time in class. Some students physically do not need to pay attention as much as others to receive the same grades. Those students, whether they have a higher level of intellect or not, should not be punished for how they spend there time. After all, the students pay the teachers salaries.
ReplyDeleteI found this to be an informative and interesting article. I especially liked the author's use of several classroom studies that professors performed that resulted in numerical data as to the effect of laptop use on classroom performance.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of my time spent in undergrad and the number of students I encountered along the way that demonstrated the same type of rude and disrespectful behavior.
Although I ran into a number of students who regularly took advantage of the wireless internet access available in most classrooms and the freedom to bring your laptop to class, I came across an equal number of students who were distracted by other sources.
Take for example the loud crinkling noise, coming from a classmate as she flipped to the next section in her newspaper, while in the middle of a large auditorium presentation. Another example that comes to mind was the guy who sat next to me in the front row of Spanish class who regularly tried to finish up the crossword puzzle he'd started during lunch mid lecture. And this list doesn’t even include the gamut of sports loving classmates I’ve had that were always distracted by their draft picks during fantasy football season or busy keeping track of their favorite player's stats during March Madness.
So what's the point of coming to class if you fully intend to ignore the entire lecture and manage to distract several other classmates in the process?
Are the face points you receive from showing up to class really enough to cancel out the negative attention you receive for being so rude and disrespectful to your professor and all the hard work they've put into preparing a lecture?
Although, I agree with this article that technology has made it easier to gain access to distractions and it has certainly made it easier to hide it when we aren't paying attention, I don’t think that technology is the only culprit that needs to be addressed.
From newspapers and magazines, to catching up on reading for another class do we really think removing laptops from the classroom will change everything?
And if we do, are we taking a step toward a day when your bags are checked at the door and only your notebook, pens, and textbook for that class are allowed to be brought in with you?
Who's going to stop the class doodlers and the space cadets?
I have to agree with the University of Denver student who said it shouldn't be part of a professor's job to babysit. I think those individuals who are caught texting, surfing the internet, or completing work for another class should simply be asked to leave.
If you’re not willing to sit and pay attention to a 50 minute lecture, you should stop wasting your time and money and the time of those around you and just stay home.
I can see both sides of this argument and until I read Kristen's comment I couldn't decide what side of the fence I was going to end up on.
ReplyDeleteI decided that I agree that there is no way to enforce a campus wide policy at any university that would deter the use of technology in classrooms; without hindering the ability of students to learn how to properly incorporate current technology into their lives.
That being said, there are many instances where having students freely using laptops and other forms of mobile computers may cause detriment to the students learning. This is most likely most prevalent in classes the heavily require students to be actively engaged in in-class discussions and other lecture heavy scenarios where there are things being taught that cant necessarily be taught from a book. This was most emphasized by the law professors who need their students to be engaged during class and consistently involved in class discussions and maybe even debates.
However, I believe that in regards to additional distractions being caused by technology in the classroom; teachers should have the authority to ask a student who is being overly disruptive to leave the classroom or to stop what ever is causing the distraction.
This does not solve the issue of students who are not disrupting others, but are simply using computers to entertain themselves while they attend class solely for the purpose of showing up. In the instance my only answer can be, they are only harming themselves. It is not the responsibility of the professor to babysit students who range in the age from 17 to 30. If that student chooses not to listen and pay attention then that student will most likely find another way to distract themselves if laptops are removed from the classroom.
Finally, I think Kristen's last paragraph sums up the argument for anyone who would argue that professors cannot be held responsible for their students actions and should not have to treat them like children.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the author’s statement that technology devices such as laptops are “one child's educational tool is another child's distraction.” Laptops and the technology that comes with it can be used to further one’s education, however during the my previous year at Penn State I noticed that in many of my big lecture classes, countless students would be going on Facebook and YouTube during class rather than taking notes. I think that especially in large classes when its easy to get distracted, laptops should not be used as it not only shows disrespect to the teacher but also doesn’t help the student or his/her grades.
ReplyDeleteLike JDesmet mentioned before, I also can see both sides of this argument.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, a laptop is a great tool to have with you to take quick notes, as well as to assist in researching a class project.
However, as I've observed, more frequently I find students using their laptops as a means to "stay connected" to their social circles, the entertainment world, or anything else non-classroom related.
This is a difficult situation for schools and professors to be placed in- How do you prevent students from accessing distracting websites/content on their laptops without also having some sort of an impact on the students who carry their laptops around for class-related activities?
Even if schools were to remove wireless internet from classrooms, even if the schools were able to block websites/content from classrooms, those students who are bent on not listening and/or not paying attention in class will find other means of distraction. And like Kristen said, if a student comes to class to not pay attention, why waste time and money for that?
I think you should be able to do what you want in class as long as you aren't bothering others. If the teacher has a problem with this he should specify it in the syllabus/course description.
ReplyDeleteI do not know why this article was written. People sometimes act in a disrespectful manner (such as not paying attention to a teacher) and the fact that some people are using modern tools to continue their old actions is not news worthy in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI feel that my laptop and/or blackberry definitely distracts me from paying close attention to my instructor. I even notice that I try to hide my blackberry when I check e-mails - that, in and of itself, means I shouldn't be looking at it at that time. I think it's best for myself, and I'm sure there are many others just like me, to leave my electronic devices off during any meetings or class instruction.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be up to the student. I personally find I can't focus when I bring my laptop to class, but it is helpful to other students. The teacher could make students who bring them sit in the back if it is distracting other students.
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