Laptops in Classrooms as a Means of Learning Hindrance and Distraction

Imagine having to turn off all electronics and not being able to use it for a week. Technologies, such as the Internet, have provoked questions about the effects it has to students overtime. Although Internet users have become dependent to the internet, schools should not participate in national “Shut Down Your Screen Week” because the Internet is an exceptional source of information, the Internet is used for instant communication, and Internet users have shown increased signs of social interactions.

These same devices that can enhance our learning can also backfire and detract from it. The same technology that allows teachers some benefit, professors also find a nuisance. The mobile phones that have basically become mobile computers are considered a major distraction because of the silent ringers, e-mails, and instant messages that interrupt us constantly while we are in class. Distraction is not the only worry to the teachers in classrooms worldwide; technology has also made cheating more easily. Stephanie Dunnewind states her point of view in Internet Creates New Opportunities for Cheating, but Also Learning that “More than three-quarters of public school students admitted to cheating on an exam in the past year, either by copying, using crib notes or helping another student. Some students justify dishonesty as a fairness issue”(113). The problem with students multi-tasking is that it takes awhile for our brains to get back into focus of what we were doing prior to the intrusion. Intrusions during class result in the students finding trouble with participating in the lesson getting their class work done. The technologies of the

The article written by Timothy D. Snyder in 2010 titled, “Why Laptops in Class Are Distracting America’s Future Workforce” is a persuasive article. His purpose in writing this article was to persuade professors to ban laptops in the classroom because he feels they are a distraction. Snyder’s arguments against the use of laptops in classrooms are convincing, but he lacks evidence to support his stance and he uses emotionally charge wording to sway the reader.

In defense of laptops in the classroom” Summary/Analysis/Response (SAR) Paper Summary “In defense of laptops in the classroom” written by Rebecca Schuman, talks about the issue of why computers should be allowed in a college classroom. Schuman explains how people of the new generation use computers in classrooms doing almost everything in college now, rather it be taking notes or accessing course material, and it's more affordable for poorer students. Analysis Schuman attempts to use logos, structuring of her article, and has a good purpose to persuade readers of her agreement. Schuman wrote this article “In defense of laptops in the classroom” in order to persuade professors why computers should be allowed in the classroom and how you can combat them if the student isn’t paying attention, plus they are more affordable for poorer students because they’re covered by financial aid. Schuman focuses on this group of audience primarily because some professors do not like computers in their classroom rather it be because the student isn’t paying attention or is using the computer for non-class related things. Schuman attempts to reason the discussion of why computers should be allowed in the class is that it’s completely up to the student whether they use it for good or not. Schuman makes the point early on that she feels that the computer is not faulty, but rather the student who makes the decision on what use to use the computer for. Schuman exemplifies this problem when she

Technology has a huge impact on everyone. Despite the variety of age groups, we have all become dependent on using technology throughout our lives. With the use of smartphones, alarm clocks, headphones, and so forth, we have started to invest tech into our everyday lifestyle, where it is now a social norm. As we are moving rapidly into a tech-based world, the use of technology has been incorporated into classrooms. Teachers have introduced PowerPoints, chatrooms, online assignments and much more to make the classroom run smoothly and help students accomplish more from their learning. However, problems can arise with technology usage in the classroom. Through students being able to access technology, they can become distracted

Which includes less time on my phone texting, or any social media sites. This relates back to Margaret Soltan’s essay “Better Living Through Consciousness: Why You Should Take Your College Education Seriously”, she discusses how technology should be limited to reduce distraction of students. She wrote “Students are gazing at all manner of stuff on their laptops (and in doing so distracting those students trying to pay attention to the front of the room); professors are staring down at their PowerPoint slides and reading the words on them aloud. In some classrooms, professors report that groups of students are gathering in various corners to watch films together on someone’s screen while the professor attempts to lecture”. Many students use technology whether it’s a laptop, cell phone or IPad almost every class period you will find at least one student on a device.

“In defense of laptops in the classroom” written by Rebecca Schuman, talks about the issue of why computers should be allowed in a college classroom. Schuman explains how people of the new generation use computers in classrooms to do almost everything in college now, rather it be taking notes or accessing course material, and its more affordable for poorer students.

Many of our students have smartphones, laptops, and tablets they use throughout the school day for school work. While some students depend on their devices to look up the current fashion trends and football stats, we feel that technology has also enabled students to think in a different way. Many students are quick on their feet to Google information to prove their friend wrong, send texts and emails in less than 10 seconds, and get excited when they are allowed to use their

Most college students use a computer at home and/or a smartphone, a more compact, mobile version of a computer. Thanks to the mobility of smartphones that makes them ubiquitous, accessing the internet is effortless. Frequently, I observe students dotting all over the campus interacting with their smartphones. As observed by Clive Thompson, author of “Smarter Than You Think,” “our tools are everywhere, linked with our minds, working in tandem (p.347).” In other words, we are likely to be using our computers all the time. We use our computers whenever we have a chance. In particular, students from my writing class opt to use their smartphones during our short ten minutes break. Author of “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Nicholas Carr shares a similar experience, “Even when I’m not working, I’m as

Technology is everywhere, attached to us in almost every part of our daily lives. Places like café shops, home and as well at schools have technology. Nowadays, schools have technology devices like laptops or tablets that they use as a learning tool for students. Teachers and students use these devices in class for every subject. Text books have been replaced by the laptops or tablets, which are lend to each students in school and can take home. The devices have the apps for each of their subjects and students can read their text book in an e-book format. Additionally, students can do their homework on it, send messages to classmates or teacher, or play educational games that involves their current subjects. Although, these are convenient reasons to use devices in and after school, I must say I don’t agree. Technology devices should not be the primary way for students to learn in school. It has taken away the traditional passive learning pattern, some teacher are not helping or not teaching at all, and students are exposed to danger while walking towards school or home.

The article “In Defence of Laptops in the Classroom” by Rebecca Schuman, a university professor, offers a different perspective to the banning of laptops in academics. She argues that while it might be distracting, it is ultimately the student’s own attitude towards education that dictates the effectiveness of electronics in the classroom. As the title suggests, Schuman argues that laptops have a place in the modern day classroom. She emphasises how the current generation lives in an age that “doesn’t learn to write by hand” (5) and argues that it is impossible to separate technology from learning.

Did you know that about 12% of the students in a classroom are either texting, emailing, or checking social media? Students are more distracted than ever before with the use of phones and laptops. Students spend about a fifth of their time in class on their devices that have nothing related with their school work. Students do not pay attention, complete school work, and retain information.

Transferring the teaching method from out of the textbook to laptops can be very distracting. Of course all electronic devices come with games or at least some application you can download. The Students will be able to access many apps including; games, email, social media, and instant messaging classmates (Hurst). Even without this change, students are already constantly on their phones texting or playing games during classes. Do we really want to have more distractions?

Laptops today has Microsoft. Or google docs. Most schools would like to use them instead of going to the library to use the computers. But the laptops has some negative effects with it, because it could be a distraction, the money for the laptops would be expensive, and most likely you wouldn’t learn anything.

Thousands of websites are distracting students from studying time. In an experiment at Cornell University, students who used internet-connected laptops during a lecture did much worse on a subsequent test than students who did not use the internet (Carr, 2010). It indicated that using the internet in class impacts students’ attention span (2010). Distractions can take attention away from learning. In fact, using the internet does not promote study efficiency, but wastes time.