One of our first discussions will be about classroom behavior. Why does it matter? If you can multitask and be more productive, shouldn’t I think that’s a good thing? Of course, the cognitive psychologist and the neurologist will both tell you that the brain can really focus on one thing at a time. Thus, multitasking takes a toll on both understanding the information that’s coming to you from your external environment and your ability to communicate effectively. You can see which side I’m on in this debate.
However, I am intrigued by the possibilities of tweeting notes via your cell phone. Often note takers try to write in complete sentences everything they hear – a virtual impossibility. So – using the texting process, the note taker would get the basic info in a format that is probably (not necessarily) easier to read than hastily formed handwriting. But, since the notes would be very, very brief, what would the student be required to do in order to make them meaningful?
How Cell Phones are Changing the World
14 years ago
I believe that classroom behavior often differs from a person's regular behavior. Or at least, with me it does. I behave differently in a classroom environment because I feel I need to focus intently on the person instructing me and what he or she is saying in order to retain that information. I can honestly say that I do not do that anywhere else in my life. At work, I am doing literally thirty if not more things at once, am up and down, here and there, and my attention is split here and there and everywhere. It was difficult for me to go from that to an environment where you sit there, stay still, and just listen. I can completely agree with you about the multitasking because if you go to my job and observe me, you'll realize that learning how to balance doing a hundred things is difficult until you realize how to prioritize everything. As for the text message note-taking format, I'd rather stick with a pen and paper. :)
ReplyDeletePersonally, texting takes me about fifteen seconds so I really don't feel like it distracts me very long. If I was having a full conversation, it would, but when I text, it's usually letting someone know that I'll call them when I get out of class. I think it's a bad idea to take out your phone and just wave it around, because it's distracting. But if you just subtly text someone I think it is okay. If you're texting someone because you're bored, that's offensive to the teacher, but if it's just to inform someone that you'll get back to them, it is fine.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Makenzie about the texting. I generally pay attention in class, but when I get a text it is usually a quick question/answer. Not a major distraction at all. I think that a lot of teachers overreact about the no phones policies for their classes. No one is going to talk on the phone during class because that's just rude, but EVERYONE is going to text. Basically, no matter how many times a teacher says no texting, the students are still going to do it anyway. And why is texting given a negative connotation in the classroom anyway? I think it's less disruptive than excusing yourself to go make an important phone call. Basically, texting should be no big deal in the classroom. Do it or don't, up to you.
ReplyDeleteI think that texting during class sould not be done. If it is a emergency then maybe. This semester though i have a teacher that will kick you out of class for your phone going off, or seeing it. SO i can agree with teachers over reacting. Like note books, in class. They are good to use, but teachers find students playing games and we all lose the privilage. So it is all good tell you over abuse the privilage. but, if a text is important then i am two sided, but if not then talking al class on your phone isn't cool. I do text, but i like the idea of excusing your self, it is more polite.
ReplyDeleteBNH
i agree with Mary. In my experience as a student I have found that even though the teacher tells their students not to text during class most everyone still does. The difference being that they're just more subtle and 'sneaky' in a sense. For me texting is a means of communicating when talking on the phone is innapropriate and offensive as Makenzie pointed out multitasking is possible if you've experienced it to the point where you can mentally prioritise things in your mind. In class I pay attention and put my phone on silent because i think that vibrating phones or ringing phones are very distracting and that I believe is rude to the students surrounding you. In class i am generally very attentive and taking notes and texting is not really something i do very often generally it is because i've recieved a call and i'm telling the person who called that I will be in contact with them later or in the event of an emergency i can find out what is going on in a less abrassive and distracting manner.
ReplyDelete-WR
As most everyone has already said, I only text in class if I need to tell someone something short and quick, like "meet me for lunch at 1" or something along those lines. I have a professor this semester who will give the entire class a pop quiz if she hears a phone go off, which I think is ridiculous. Why punish the whole class for one person's phone? I get e-mails sent to my phone, so I'm always terrified that my phone will go off in that class because of an e-mail. Even though the growth of technology these days scares me, I depend so much on my phone. I use it as a clock, calendar, I make grocery lists on it, etc. So I don't think teachers should freak out if someone takes out their phone -- it doesn't mean they're texting!
ReplyDeletePhones have almost become equivalent as a computer. Between calculators, notepads, and internet access the cell phone has almost evolved into a classroom tool. I also like the idea of texting your notes. Some students have texting abilities that are surprisingly above and beyond there writing pen and paper technique.
ReplyDeleteI believe that texting should be allowed to a certain extent. First of all, the professor has the right to say whether they allow texting in class or not. If the professor chooses to allow that privilege then the student should not over do it with the texting in class. It shouldn't be done if anyone is disrupted or if the teacher doesn't want you to at the moment. The student is paying the money for the classes so it is their choice if they want to pay attention. There is people who can text fast and could take notes faster on their phone rather than pen and paper.
ReplyDeleteAs a lot of people have already said, I do not think that texting is that big of a deal in the classroom.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I depend on my cell phone so much; I don't think I could get through a day without it. It has everything on it; my calendar, alarm clock, all my contacts, my Baylor e-mail, facebook, etc.
There are many times between classes that I have to send out an e-mail to one of my professors or someone in my sorority and they will reply while I am in class. I don't think it is that big of distraction to simply read a reply or a text or whatever it is.
I understand the teacher’s side of it, because as a teacher I would get really annoyed if I had student’s phones constantly ringing in my classroom while I was trying to teach. However, I think that as long as we keep our cell phones on silent or vibrate and we aren't persistently texting throughout class, then cell phones shouldn't be that big of a deal.
Plus, just like anything else in life, the more someone tells you not to do something, the more people tend to rebel against it.
I believe that texting during is not a that big of a deal. Even though almost every professor tells their students not to text during class, mostly everyone does it. As long as its not being disruptive to the rest of the class, I think its okay. The only reason that a teacher should have a problem with texting during class or having their phone is during a test or a quiz, other than that it should be no big deal. I text during class and I also pay attention, so its not like texting is distracting me a whole lot. Its usually just like short and quick texts. And taking notes on your phone is better than pen and paper because its faster and easier.
ReplyDeleteTexing isn't a big deal. Unless you're the person with the cellphone that has obnoxiously loud buttons or the person who sets their phone on the desk and lets it vibrate EVERYTIME you receive a text.
ReplyDeleteI mean its really short. Sending a text takes like 10 seconds.
I use the notepad on my phone to take notes and the calender to put my assignment due dates and reminders in.
Professors are going to have to get used to the phone being used productively in class - but it's going to take some time before they get over their skeptcism. I'm wondering how students can demonstrate to them the effectiveness of such technology in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteIn a speech class I took this summer we learned how to be an "active listener". In order to do so one should not take notes during a lecture and/or speech because you lose the majority of what is said because you're busy writing. Even if you "text" or use some kind of short hand you don't receive all the information. As for multitasking in class by texting I think it's stupid. You're obviously not being an active listener and the lecture is not grabbing your attention. There's no respectful way to text during a lecture because it's completely disrespectful, not only to the professor but to the people you WILL distract.
ReplyDeleteI think that if someone wants to text during class, they're going too. I mean, everyone KNOWS that they're being obvious, no matter how "sneaky" you get while trying to text. But I also believe that the grades you receive in a class reflect the effort you put into them, and sitting and texting the entire period is not going to reflect a good grade because you're going to only be half paying attention to the lecture therefore not getting all of the information you may need for notes or an exam.
ReplyDeleteI too believe that texting one line things like "meet me at lunch at memorial" or "call you back after class" aren't as big of a problem distraction-wise, but if the texting consists of an actual conversation in which the student has to repeatedly take out their phone, find ways to conceal the fact that they are texting, and/or has their mind focused on that instead of class, then it is a problem. From experience, I KNOW that it is a huge distraction. I'm guilty of having text conversations which have consumed my thoughts and left me unable to concentrate otherwise. Because even when you haven't received the text back, you still are sitting there anticipating it, thinking about what to say back and etc. Especially if you are having a conversation that is emotionally straining on you. You probably shouldn't be in class if so and should get that problem situated in a more personal way, either by phone or in person. Not by text message in class.
ReplyDeleteI believe that texting is a huge distraction and disrespectful to the professor. If texting shouldd be done, it should wait until after class ends. The only exception would be if the person already knows that they will recieve something important.
ReplyDeleteWith new technology like Twitter, I thin some of this could be used for class, but not in class. Sometimes the best way to learn is through new and exciting things because it keeps students on their toes and makes them think that they are doing something cool.
I personally use my laptop in class to take notes because I find it easier. However, I do not use it to look at Facebook or my e-mail during class. I also keep my phone on silent during class (I have had a few mistakes...) because I know it's distracting when someone's cellphone ges off.
All in all, cell phonesin class are very distracting and should be left for activities outside of the classroom.
Personally, I know I can't concentrate, if I'm getting text messages or worrying about my phone in class. I can barely concentrate already without looking at it! I have A.D.D. though, sooo. Also, I have no problem with others texting in class, as long as they're not texting during a group project, quiz, or test. It's really hard on me taking tests in the first place, because the smallest noise happens and I lose my concentration. If somebody is texting on their phone and I can hear it while I'm trying to focus, it makes life harder. Yup. There's my schpeal.
ReplyDeleteTexting in class for makes me loose focus that probally because I have ADD but I do sometimes type my notes on my Iphone and it makes it easier for me to email them to my computer to revise with the notes I take on the chapters before class. Again when you are in a lecture it is impossible to write everything down and collecting the main points and concepts quickly is the key so if your better at texting than writing I would say it can help but remember that writing it ddown helps inprint into your memory.
ReplyDeleteEven though I would like to say that I can multitask in class, I agree that multitasking takes a toll on the student and their learning abilities. There have been classes that I have "multitasked" in, but in reality I focus on one task more than the other, and thats uaually texting. I think it would be beneficial for teachers to enforce proper classroom behavior. In the long run this will actually help the students and keep them focused, whether they are really paying attention or not.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I feel about tweeting with notes though. I think that many students would take advantage of this and use their devices for other things. Students first started off using computers as a way to take notes faster but from what I see in class many are on facebook and playing games. The students are taking notes faster, BUT on the down side they are not paying attention they are typing what the instructor says then going quickly to games inbetween. I don't know if there is really an effective way of keeping students focused.