Friday, April 1, 2011

My Two Sense on Technology Distractions

Every person at MSU, including all of the professors, knows that students in a lecture hall who brought their computers did not bring them because it is easier to take notes on their computer. They brought them because they want a distraction, whether it be Facebook Chat or flash games, from whatever the professor is trying to bore them with today. An article I found on Twitter argues that educators at both the secondary and post-secondary level have to watch out for the dangers of technology distractions. It argues that some high school teachers simply adapt technology into their classroom whimsically without worrying about any distractions it might cause for their students, specifically referencing the demand for computer labs in schools. The author also assets that students benefit more from taking notes by hand because they remember things better. Although I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestion of banning laptops in most college classes, I think this author has missed the main problem with technology use in secondary classrooms. The problem is not the technology itself, but rather how it is used in lessons. As long as technology is used in a purposeful, specific manner that provides students with a clear goal and established structure for what they should be doing with the technology, I think teachers can incorporate it into assessments, activities, and other lessons as much as possible. Distractions occur not because technology is inherently distracting, but rather because teachers have students use technology without a clear purpose. Why have students research and read online when you can give the same sources as handouts? Instead, save technology for having students create Prezis or storybooks for an assessment or for an online interactive activity that keeps students focused on the task at hand. Just like any other lesson, the amount high school students are distracted is more determined by the engagement, communication, and purposefulness of the lesson, not whether or not technology is used. Students still found ways to be distracted from boring lessons before technology came around:


Original Image: maybe it will help...
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by: Hans_van_Rijnberk

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1 comment:

  1. RachelDApril 3, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    I think the use and monitoring of computers in a high school classroom is much different than that of a college one. If your in a big lecture as a professor you can't go around and check everyone's computer. Whereas if your in a high school computer lab or classroom it's easier to see what your students are doing and the keep them on track. Regardless though computer distractions play a major role in modern day class rooms. As you pointed out in your post it's not the technology but they way is is used and outline. I agree 100% with this. It's up to the teacher to makes expectations clear and to follow through. They can't merely be using it just to use it but to have a defined purpose.

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