Distraction
I think embracing technolgy and introducing new technology to students is the only way to combat the potential negative factor of distraction. Personal devices with access to entertainment, news, social networks etc. will always pose a threat to a classroom setting if the information being presented in class is not presented in an equally captivating method.
Robert,
and it is beneficial to our students (& to all of us) to learn to put away the technology from time to time. There are other ways to gain & assimilate information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Well Said!!
Classroom time is more important than social
media. If they can't wait an hour to text or return messages they probably will carry this problem into the workforce.
I do not allow the student to use their "Communication Devices" when the students are in class and when they are in lab. The students at our school have all the info they need to access using the web sites and the computers that they are provided to complete the courses. If you allow students to use their communication devices in our program the devices became a distraction. The first day of class I tell students that the devices are not allowed to be used during class . I also tell the students that in my opinion the devices that they use are called "Pacifiers" because some folks can't seem to function without them.
Unfortunately, students get distracted very easy and regardless of the rules you set up at the beginning, they get out track at the end.
Keith...I agree. I've had courses for which I've paid a great deal of money to attend only to have someone with their laptop instant-messgaing during the course and tap-tap-tapping away while I'm trying to pay attention. If I was distracted by that I know students would be too.
Richard,
I agree & while I want them to pay attention in my class, they also have to learn to discipline themselves & act like adults at some point.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
In my experience, technology, particularly internet access, can be very distracting for students in the class room. It's important to present material in an entertaining and effective manner but it is ultimately their responsibility to maintain focus and motivation. A lesson, I'm afraid, many Gen Y'ers may learn the hard way when entering the work force.
You have made some good points about the distractions of technology in the classroom. Our school's policy has always been to not allow cell phone use in the classroom, but recently this has changed. The administration stated that cell phones, tablets, and laptop computers could be used to access classroom materials - PowerPoints, notes, etc. However, the instructors are well aware these devices can and will be used for other purposes that are distracting from the class material. I do not have time in the middle of my lecture to "police" students on their cell phones, figuring out how or why they are using them. I have come to the conclusion that I cannot worry too much about it, as long as the classroom environment is not disturbed and other students are not distracted.
Keith,
I think this is a good point. Too often we say "if the student doesn't want the instruction, that's their business..." which is true, but what about the other paying customers around them?
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Attenting college is a privledge, not a right! Our students pay a lot of money to attend. Each individual student (and the instructor), deserves a distraction-free learning environment. If students can't survive 50 minutes without their cellphone on, they need to attend addiction rehabilitation.
Bonita,
if you find this to be a significant problem, I would ask them to always step out of the room & then tell them that they will have to get with another student to get the notes/material that they missed while they were out.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
for the next term, I may require cell phones in their backpacks silenced, due to current cell phone distractions. Messages can be retreived during classroom breaks.
Even tho my students are told not to use cell phones for personal business during class, I find them still using them at times. I have given them lee way for their patients to contact them when necessary. Usually they will tell me when they need to communicate on their cell phone but it is a bit of an distraction. It will also take away their attention from the lecture.
I agree this is a distraction. This is the same scenario that I have to deal with in my institution.
I agree with Kathy as well. I have found that even when the rules are laid down in the beginning of a course, some students have a tendency to "push the envelope" For example, I made an exception and allowed a student to utilize their smart phone to take intra-oral pictures in clinic one day. Two days later that same student had her cell phone out on the counter while she was working on her patient despite the known rule that phones are not to be out in clinic. I would love to allow their use when applicable, but how do you monitor that the students are indeed using them for educational purposes at all times?
I agree, technology should be effectively used in the classroom otherwise distraction will set in. I allow technology in the classroom, however, I am tedious when it comes to using cellphones in the classroom. I find that students who try and use cellphones in the classroom struggle much more than students who do pay attentio.
Glenn,
this is sadly the case, although there may be ways to use the phones & still guard against abuse in a limited capacity.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It would be so refreshing to have the use of cell phones for projects in the classroom.I feel there would be a better effort put forth but unfortunatly once again it would be nearly impossible to have them be responsible enough to not to abuse it.
Alicia,
this is a very valid point & one that must be carefully considered & weighed. If you allow the phones once, expect to see them out more & not at appropriate times.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
