Internet surfing during class-bored?
I teach in a school where each student gets a laptop.The internet is an integral part of how classes are taught. Often I find that some students would surf to non related websites during my instruction. I take this as a sign that either they are bored or disinterested or; they are not being challenged enough. I'm looking for opinions on how to interpret their actions and meet their needs.
Jeff,
This is a good strategy to follow. By you just being in the general area is good enough to get students to stop the surfing and get back to what they should be doing. This is teaching by moving around and is an important tool to use.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the things I do in class to combat that issue is routinely walk around the room. While I'm not really intently looking at each person's screen to see what they are doing, the mere fact that I could do this usually makes people stop using the internet.
Joyce,
As the learning leader you are setting the rules for the class and as hard as it may be to get a student to stop texting you have no choice but to get them to stop or dismiss them. If you do not take the leadership you will lose the class and any hope of being the teacher. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We do not have internet in our classroom but I frequently assign reports and papers that they can use the internet for. Cell phones, however, are often a problem. Our schools policy is that they have to be off during class. When I see someone texting I remind them of the policy, usually they put it away. But on occation I have a student that doesn't stop. I then ask the student to leave class to take their call and I continue class with the other students.
Camille,
This is an ongoing struggle for educators. What is the best policy for cell phones? Banned, can be used, learning tool, etc.. We have to set a policy that will work for our classroom or at least that is how I operate. I know what will work with my students and my class and they know what my expectations are. I let them know I don't care what another instructor lets them do because that is that instructor and he or she knows what works in their class. My school does not have an overall policy on cell phones so we make up our own for our classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I suppose we have to draw a line, however, between appropriate smart phone usage during instructional time and access to the Internet during evaluation or testing time. My school has a strict policy against cell phones in the classroom. If a student is caught using a cell phone during an exam, s/he automatically receives a "0".
Calvin,
This is a great strategy. I like the way you have integrated your course content into a favorite activity of your students. They get the best of both worlds while advancing their knowledge base.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I've had success in implementing smart phone technology as part of the class structure. I teach a course in sanitation, part of which is understanding the effects of allergies. I've actually had the students put out a "tweet" or post on facebook as to who might have allergies in their friends list. The results are wonderful, and it personalized the information I have to impart. I've also allowed them to use phones as calculators, or for internet access to support subject matter in current affairs. In short, I've found that having their phones out and obvious has really assisted in controlling unauthorized smart phone usage, and taught them to use their phones for professional purposes as well as social purposes.
Kristen,
You have to "own" the classroom or lab and by moving around you are doing so. If students get you pegged as staying in one place they will start to do their own thing be it class related or not.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I've found that if i walk around the classroom while lecturing a little more, they are not as prone to be on other non related websites. Because, they know i will see what they are doing and stop lecturing.
Pamela,
This is a good way to get students engaged and focused on the course rather than surfing the net during class time. They have to focus on the content and the class discussion if they are going to acquire the necessary competencies for the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Surfing the net and texting during class seems to be a problem in all areas of education. I also use case studies and giving spar of the moment research activities to bring the class back to the topic. I have found this techniques usually enhances the material because everyone wants to present the information they found.
Debbie,
Sounds like you have been talking with my students because I have heard this same line of conversation over and over again. My response is that as a professional educator preparing you to enter into and be successful in your field I am obligated to offer quality instruction and content. I am going to do that each time the class meets and I expect you do to the same as a student. I also build into my classes professional points for attendance and participation to the point that they cannot pass my course based upon test scores alone. It doesn't take very long for those students that don't or won't buy into the fact that I am teaching a professional class to preprofessionals so I am going to set the standard high to leave the class or start to buy into it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Frantz,
I do two things when I see them drifting a way via doing searches or going to Facebook. I have everyone close their computers and we do a group activity, game or case study. This gets them refocused. The other is I quickly assign them to do some online research and then report back to the class. I give them a few minutes (about 3) to do this. This also breaks up the flow of the class and gets them engaged with what we are doing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
That's amazing. I wonder if this is the way their brains work now. Maybe they're not as distracted /bored as I imagined. They maybe wired this way. I heard a radio program discuss a study on this. The question is how do we instructors use this "ability" to enhance teaching?
I also have this problem but with smart phones.
I asked a group of recent Universtiy graduates about this and why they "tuned" me out. I felt disrespected, boring, and distracted.
Their response was...
I paid for this time. It's my time.
Not being instantly connected is a difficult habit to break.
As long as I'm here and pass my tests, who cares?
