RSSTechnology can interfere with class, profs say
By Kimberly Osborn
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: News
The percentage of college classrooms with wireless service has nearly doubled over the past three years, from 31 to 60 percent, according to a survey of 600 colleges conducted by the Campus Computing Project, the article said.
Using a laptop to take notes creates temptation to access the Internet. Psychology Professor Laurence Upton said he lets students bring lap tops to class to take notes, and he assumes students will stay attentive.
"The screen is not available to me, but when students behind [the screen] all start to look at it, too, I know something is up," Upton said.
Upton is not as concerned about students who choose to surf the Web as he is about the surrounding students who are distracted by the laptop screen, he said.
Upton said he questions why students come to class if they do not focus or try to learn the material.
In the article, Freedman said technology is getting smarter, but the people using it are not.
Professor Michael Bugeja, director of the journalism school at Iowa State University, said baby boomers see technology as a source of communication and information, whereas their children and grandchildren see it as a mode of socialization and entertainment.
For some students, class can not compete with trading gossip through text messages or reading a Facebook profile.
Some professors are concerned technology not only interrupts class but efforts to study outside class, as well.
"I don't think texting is any more of a distraction than your friends or your hall," Walbert said. Walbert said her biggest deterrent to studying is instant messaging.
Using a laptop to take notes creates temptation to access the Internet. Psychology Professor Laurence Upton said he lets students bring lap tops to class to take notes, and he assumes students will stay attentive.
"The screen is not available to me, but when students behind [the screen] all start to look at it, too, I know something is up," Upton said.
Upton is not as concerned about students who choose to surf the Web as he is about the surrounding students who are distracted by the laptop screen, he said.
Upton said he questions why students come to class if they do not focus or try to learn the material.
In the article, Freedman said technology is getting smarter, but the people using it are not.
Professor Michael Bugeja, director of the journalism school at Iowa State University, said baby boomers see technology as a source of communication and information, whereas their children and grandchildren see it as a mode of socialization and entertainment.
For some students, class can not compete with trading gossip through text messages or reading a Facebook profile.
Some professors are concerned technology not only interrupts class but efforts to study outside class, as well.
"I don't think texting is any more of a distraction than your friends or your hall," Walbert said. Walbert said her biggest deterrent to studying is instant messaging.
