It’s obvious we live in world that thrives on technology and all the innovation that comes with it. It hasn’t even been 50 years since email was introduced, much less instant messaging, texting, smart phones, etc. Yet, despite the little time we’ve had with all our gadgets and inventions, most of us seem so fixated on them. I myself have come to realize that it can be very difficult to be without my phone. I use it for everything: keeping contact with people, entertainment, emailing and photography, just to name a few. In a classroom setting, however, technology has been quite controversial.
It’s easy to moderate technology when it comes to younger children and even high schoolers (though they will argue it). But when it comes to college students, many prefer the use of technology in the classroom. Many students prefer e-books or taking notes on their laptops because they are cost effective and can save a lot of time. That being said, some professors don’t agree with using such devices in the classroom. Most will tell you during syllabus week whether they accept laptops and e-readers in their class; in fact, there is usually someone who will ask. From my experience at UB so far, most professors will allow and even encourage using technology in class. I have a professor who removes participation points if you don’t bring your laptop to every class.
The controversy comes when students become distracted because of their devices. Right off the bat, most professors will probably ask you not to use your phones in class for that reason. Not many of my professors have outright condemned cell phones, especially since the school sends notifications to students of any type of campus emergency through our phones, but they ask for the courtesy. Of course, out of respect, this should not be a difficult thing to do. Your professor takes the time to develop a curriculum to teach you and they KNOW when you’re not paying attention. You are PAYING to be there, the least you can do is learn. But we all know that sometimes there’s just that ONE class. The content is boring. The professor is unengaging. There’s just something about the class that does not pull you in.
In one of my classes where the content isn’t terrible but the professor is pretty monotone, I noticed that many students don’t pay attention: they are either on their phones or desperate to leave. Even I have difficulties focusing in that class. I have a short attention span and with a professor who tends to ramble, I did find myself on my phone pretty often. The professor took note of this and earlier this week, he decided enough was enough. He enforced a new classroom rule: No technological devices during class time, laptops included. My roommate’s reaction was perfect, “What am I supposed to take notes on?” Knowing she had a notebook in her backpack. There was a protest in the classroom, but the professor didn’t budge.
Throughout class, I observed my classmates, seeing if the professor’s tactic had any effect on the amount of focus in the room. But what I saw was not students who were attentive and engaged. I saw miserable students bored out of their minds. My classmates were doing anything BUT paying attention to the lecture. Some people stared off into space, others doodled in their notebooks, some whispered to each other. I also noticed that some people became very fidgety, tapping their feet on the ground, fiddling with their hands, hair, jewelry, anything. It was as if the removal of their devices left them without a clue. An itch they couldn’t scratch. Some people tried to text secretly, but our professor just wasn’t having it. He would stop mid-lecture and ask them to put it away. I found it very amusing how my classmates acted as if the world had ended. I was even more amused when I realized that by paying attention to what my classmates were doing, I wasn’t paying attention to the lecture.
I did feel for my professor and participated when he asked questions since I could tell he does want his class to be an engaging environment. However, I did ask myself the question of whether or not removing technology improves a classroom setting and decided that it depends on the content of the class and the professor teaching. I’ve taken classes with content that seemed pointless but because I liked the professor, I was attentive. However, regardless of the class, a professor should not have to fight so hard for a class’s attention. We should all pay attention in our classes, both out of respect for our educators and just for the sake of it. If someone is adamant about not paying attention, it’s their loss. They’ll miss out on educating themselves and burn a hole in their pocket.
Even though that class is definitely not my favorite class to be in, I’m there to learn -- so I will. Removing technological devices made me realize that I was turning to my phone as a distraction without even noticing, and I do it pretty often too. I will definitely be taking the time to make sure I’m focused from now on, and even when the lecture isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, out of respect for my professors and their knowledge, I am going to listen. I encourage you all to do the same and pay attention, not just in your classrooms but everywhere else. When your roommate is venting about their job, when your sibling calls you to catch you up on their life, when you go home and your kids are babbling away, when that random elderly person stops to tell you a story. You never know what you will learn. Don’t let technology take your focus away.
