Technology in the Classroom: Teaching Weapon or Class Distraction?
By Tom O’Keefe
We all remember it: The teacher rolls the TV stand into the classroom. “Okay, folks, we’re watching a movie today.” Then a chorus of whisper-yells sounds, “Yessss!”
Another scene we all remember: two or three students huddled around a computer arguing whether they should “ford the river” or “caulk the wagon and float across” on Oregon Trail, the staple computer game of 1990’s classrooms.
We loved having technology in the classroom growing up. It meant something different. It meant not having to listen to the teacher drone on about geography, spelling, multiplication, or the antebellum era of American history. It meant we didn’t have to participate in class and might be able to zone out for a little while. Mostly, though, it meant entertainment and a “cool” way to learn.
Now, we’re the first generation to have a tool like the internet at our fingertips during class.
Every Gen-Y college student has a laptop (or iPad) and a cell phone and most college classrooms have some piece of technology to aid the teacher. Students take notes in class on their laptops, check Facebook, and text message as the professor projects a DVD off of his or her laptop to illustrate an example.
So is technology in the classroom a great tool or just a big distraction?
Well, both.
Technology is distracting. Facebook, Twitter, Perez Hilton, our entire network of friends, all accessed at the push of a button or touch of a screen. It feeds the need for instant gratification. Class, unfortunately, doesn’t always meet that need.
On the other hand, technology is a way for teachers to show and teach content in different and attention-grabbing ways. Students can use the internet to Google a term or idea to find out more about it without disrupting the teacher and type more comprehensive notes. Teachers can share documents and assignments quickly. It feeds the need for instant gratification. Class can meet that need.
In fact, I see some professors starting to use Twitter to share relevant links with their students and others assigning or writing blogs to encourage class participation in a different medium. Teachers give their cell phone numbers to students and encourage them to contact them whenever they need help.
Ultimately, it boils down to this: a teacher’s job is to get their material and message out to their students in the most effective way possible. Technology is quickly becoming the way to do that. The old, lecture style is dying. Teacher’s must be facilitators, and help guide students to the right resources to maximize lessons. It’s time to embrace technology in the classroom and unlock its power to teach.
Millennials: How do you want to be taught? Is technology too much of a distraction during class or do you use it more as a learning tool?
Non-Millennials: How do you feel about technology in the classroom? Is it a distraction or a great tool?
Image: Laffy4k
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I am a millenial who loves her technology. I blog, tweet, facebook, what have you. However, I didn't use it in class. I graduated from college three years ago. While there, I was old school in my note taking technique–good old pen and paper. Do I think it's important to recognize technology as an important tool? Absolutely. But that's just it. It's a tool and should be treated as such. I think with the advent of so many cool new technologies every day, it's easy to get caught up in the cool factor. It's easy to forget that they exist to serve a purpose. I also firmly believe that it is the responsibility of students to turn off their gadgets and social media connections when necessary. In today's world especially, it is important that we millenials learn how to use our technology tools to better our work habits, not detract from them. I can assure you that my boss would not be too pleased if I were surfing around facebook just because it's more interesting than my work. Why would it be ok to do that in a classroom? So, yes, I absolutely agree that there are ways that teachers can bring these technologies into the classroom in effective and interesting ways. Yes, it's important to see that these new tools are here to stay and we should use them. I think any good teacher recognizes new ways to interact with his/her students. However, I also believe there is a responsibility on the part of the student to work to remain actively engaged in a lecture. Especially at the college level, it's not elementary school people. Just because facebook is more interesting than the microeconomics lecture doesn't mean you should be tagging photos while in class. You want a good education, and at the end of the day it's your responsibility to get one. Teachers are there to teach you, but they are looking for an exchange. Don't expect them to just spoon feed you the information. However, I guarantee that if you show an interest in the subject, connect with the teacher personally (maybe even through facebook!) you will be rewarded by the exchange of information that will occur.
great comment fag
Technology can be a great tool if educators understand how to utilize it properly. Plus, they're using a platform we, as millennials understand. Though I'm finding that teachers have to use programs outside what the school provides. For example, rather using the blogging tool our course information site provides, we use Blogger, WP, or even Tumblr. The pro & con of these outside sources is that anybody can see this information. Once technology improves within the closed school network, I think technology can really enhance learning. (Notice I said enhance… I don't think lectures will die out completely, as some people still need that face-to-face interaction.)
Great article!
Great comment, Alex, and you're right. It's the teacher's responsibility to teach, but the student also holds the responsibility to spurn technological distractions during class to be the best student possible. It used to drive me crazy when students would gChat one another during class and giggle, obviously not paying attention to the professor. How can we learn and engage as students if we allow ourselves to be distracted? As the first generation to have technology like this at our fingertips during class, we need to be disciplined in its use.
Thanks for the comment and great points, Alex!
Definitely, Julia. I think, in general at least, the students are ahead of the professors, while the professors are ahead of the school/textbooks. Once everyone is caught up, technology can enhance education further.
Thanks for commenting!
grow a pair
I think part of the reason many people see technology as a distraction is because it can be, and often is. Think about it — how often do you end up on Facebook or checking your e-mail during class because you're bored and you have the Internet as a way to amuse yourself? And that's why, I think, teachers often see it as a distraction. I even had professors ban laptops in the classroom.
That used to drive me crazy also, Tom! I found it so disrespectful to the professor. I think you're article is great and raises a lot of really important questions. Good work!
Often, Angela, often. Do you think that that's unique to Millennials or just a function of having it at our fingertips?
A bit of both. I think older generations are more likely to be less distracted by technology in general, but Millennials and the younger generations are more likely. I just think we get bored more easily, and, then, when we're bored, turn to that technology that we always have with us.
Great article! I think that technology can play a huge and great role in the classroom. It helps to keep students engaged and makes the content more interactive.
Although, it can DEFINITELY be a distraction as well. I think it all depends on what the students are doing with said technology. If they're using learning tools online and paying attention – great, but if they're checking email and chatting with friends about what's happening after school or on the weekend- not so great.
I love it when my teacher's use technology in the classroom. It's more interesting than just a regular lecture. Seeing video and outside sources can really supplement the material you're learning.
With that being said, students have a responsibility in the classroom to pay attention. If you're distracted by Facebook or your cell phone, it isn't the teacher's responsibility to keep you engaged. If you want a good grade, pay attention. There are times when it can become a distraction, I won't lie. I've sat in on a lecture and been so bored that all I could do was look at Facebook or check Twitter on my phone. It's all about how you chose to use it.
I agree wholeheartedly, McKenzie. Both parties have responsibilities to uphold. I've also been distracted by Facebook and the like during class, and have made the conscious decision to not bring my laptop to the following class so that I stay focused, no matter how boring the class/professor is!
Right, Brittany. It's a tool. It's all dependent on how we use it. Great point!
Interesting- I also find that we turn to our technological pieces (phones!) when we're bored or uncomfortable, just for the sake of doing something!
Great topic, Tom. I found that any class I had in a computer lab (and as a Advertising/Graphic Design major, there were many…), I would be distracted by the Internet and everything else in front of me. Most times, I would end up on GChat or Facebook talking to my friend sitting right next to me about our weekend plans or something and NOT paying attention to my professor. I just couldn't help it. I feel like it would've been better if those sites were blocked in the classrooms, if only to prevent distractions when using the computers. And personally, I am old fashioned in the fact that I like to hand-write my notes and preferred not to bring my laptop to class. I guess hand-writing things just helped in sink in more? Hmmm…
I do recognize technology as a great learning tool for the professor to pass on to his/her students. For example, my business ethics professor at Loyola would link us to sites relating to a specific topic we were talking about that week. He would also use those sites in class on a projector or something. And if I was ever curious about something we talked about, I would go home and do more research on my own.
Thanks, Christa. Technology goes both ways, I think. It can be a great tool AND a great distraction. It all depends on how you use it, just like any tool. As students, we need to know our own learning needs and what distracts us, so we can make appropriate adjustments in the classroom.
Thanks for commenting!
Great post, Tom. This is becoming a bigger and bigger issue around college campuses and even in high schools. When it comes to personal student use, I always saw it as more of a problem. Sitting in the back of a classroom, or lecture hall, and looking at the laptops being used, easily over 75% of them were being used for entertainment purposes. And as stated before, it's not the professor's fault. They can't always walk around and look behind each computer screen.
To counter this, teachers and professors should incorporate more technology and interactivity in the classroom. Using technology is the classroom mixes things up a bit and gets the students involved, while hopefully inspiring some dialogue. An exciting and thought-provoking classroom environment will make students want to come to class and participate.
Another way to counter this is to switch up the classroom arrangement. The teacher is traditionally in the front of the class because that is usually how seating is arranged. Using tables, or creating a setup that allows the teacher the walk the room more freely may hinder students from using their computers for entertainment purposes and have them focus on class more.
The best way to counter this is for students to pay attention. It's a two-way street when it comes to education. When I was using a computer for entertainment purposes instead of paying attention and participating, I ended up paying for it in the end. Probably not the lesson the professor was trying to inspire.
I think as Millenials, we came of age in a transition period where we still had to do things by hand and old-school. I may sound like an old fart saying this – but I'm actually more concerned about the technology being used in elementary school classrooms.
I visited a class in Virginia where everything was done half-lecture style with the help of an expensive touch screen projector to showcase videos, interactive math games, and handouts (that could be highlighted and circled on screen). The school districts are investing tons of money into these things to keep their students engaged – meanwhile, there's not enough room in the building itself to house all the kids during the school day that some of the kids have to go to class in trailers out of the back of the school – which I've been told is less then pleasant.
I think priorities need to come first, and what's more important is having students in a comfortable learning environment before doing up all the bells and whistles to “distract” them into learning through (albeit awesome) technology.
At the risk of sounding like a fellow old-fart, I have to agree with you, here, Valeria. It's important to have the “flash”, but you've got to have the necessities (a comfortable classroom, desks, chairs) first.
Unfortunately, that's not always the reality as it seems as though school districts get certain monies or grants tagged for technology. Also, coming from a town where building new schools was a problem, schools can't always expand to meet the needs of their student numbers (it's really an awful situation) and must do the best with what they have.
Thanks for the insight, Valeria! It's an important point with our economy right now.
A well thought out comment, Rich. Thanks.
I work in the Computer Lab of a high school, and it's a constant challenge to keep students on task. Luckily, I sit in the back of the classroom while they work, and can see their screens. It's a huge plus for me, but, when I teach, I like to face them, so when that happens, it's a lot harder to keep their attention. I guess my point is that classroom set-up is definitely a factor!
I think the two-way street point is a really good one. I think the consensus in the comments is that teachers can incorporate technology, but students also hold responsibility to limit their own distractions when it comes to using technology in class.
Thanks again, Rich!
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great comment that no one cares about