Dealing with Digital Distractions in Wireless Classroom
As more and more classrooms go wireless, there is a lot of misuse of technology during class, such as Web surfing, text-messaging, gaming, watching videos, sending E-mails, etc. While classroom access to the Internet may be a wonderful teaching tool, it can also be a barrier to learning and will put an unprecedented barrier between the student and the instructor.
As teachers of 21st century, we will all face such a problem. To combat technology distractions, I suggest solutions from two aspects---both universities and teachers should take some measures to deal with this problem:
First of all, etiquette education (netiquette/CR etiquette) should become part of universities’ modules. In other words, students need to be taught about what classroom behaviors are appropriate. In addition, universities need to provide ground rules for technology use in the classroom. A statement should be made clear that inappropriate use of technology will not be tolerated and certain punishment will be exercised on those who break the rules.
From the perspective of teachers, they need to be well trained to be in front of the class. Just as the article mentioned that “students expect to be entertained as they learn. If the entertainment doesn’t come from the front, it comes from the Internet.” Therefore, facing great challenges, teachers must thinking of ways to attract their students. In doing so, they may need to change the ways they teach.
To add, teachers should be role models of their students. If a teacher talks to a hand phone in class, how can she/he expect the students not to send instant messages during her/his lecture?
Reference:
Michael J. Bugeja, Distractions in the Wireless Classroom
http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2007/01/2007012601c/careers.html
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4 comments:
Dear Yanping, first I'd like to say thanks for your compliment on my blog. To tell you the truth, I didn't anticipate anyone byond my own blog group would feel interested in reading it. Glad to see that people, not just me myself, like it that way. What's also good is that it happened to give me the chance to take a view at yours, which is marvelous. I like the format, and the language even better. Your English is fairly idiomatic!
I agree with you that teachers need to make some change to make the classroom more interesting.
But that is only one way. I think students should also shoulder the responsibility to contribute to the classroom ground rules.
I can not agree with the idea to allow students to use laptop at classrooms. One reason is that it may distract teachers' attention.
Another reason is that students may not concentrate on their learning at class.
In fact, the problems brought by high tech like wireless one are very obvious.
Besides sending message some of my students are very interested in playing with the machine itself.Maybe some strict rules should be applied to solve this problems.
yes, interesting lecture can be a good suggestion to reduce the distraction from wirelessly connected laptops. But still, I think some rules must be applied to reduce the distraction to the greatest extent.
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