I can see where this professor is coming from. A few years ago, I might have answered
differently, but I feel as though I have seen this phenomenon first hand in
myself and in others since starting graduate school. My first semester, I was in a statistics
class where we had lab in a computer lab.
It was introduction to statistics and not very exciting, but I remember
watching other students in class surfing the internet or messaging each
other. It was very distracting. But, worse of all, I have seen this
phenomenon in myself. I got an iPad a
little over a year ago. I was so excited
to free my life of paper, notebooks, and 3-ring binders. I started taking class notes on my iPad. I feel like my attention suffered
greatly. It was very tempting to browse
away from my notes and do something else.
The cognitive load of switching and controlling impulses took my mind
further away from the content. I know it
did. But, I saved a lot of paper.
The trees appreciate your effort, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI also find it difficult to take notes using technology without becoming distracted. I do not have as much difficulty with staying on the task of note taking as I do with trying to make my notes look nice by changing the formatting and font. Of course, that is a distraction that I also try to manage when I take notes with paper and pen: I am always concerned about the neatness of my work to the extent that it has become a distraction at times.
Overall, it seems that technology serves to increase the already many aspects of the environment that distract us from learning. James would probably say that using technology makes it easier to pay attention to our interests and more difficult to jerk ourselves back to paying voluntary attention to instruction that might not presently interest us.
I like how you made note of getting distracted even when taking pen and paper notes. I am the same way. I often doodle, or worry about the neatness or organization. I think that is one argument to keep allowing students to use technology. Students can find distractions in anything. But, I feel like the bigger issue with technology is how it can distract others. I am less likely to distract someone by doodling than I am by swapping to Facebook on iPad.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that if we took technology away, students would just find something else to distract them. When Shirky (2014) wrote "To the people who say 'Students have always passed notes in class,' I reply that old-model notes didn’t contain video and couldn’t arrive from anywhere in the world at 10 megabits a second," I gave him a metaphorical "Yeah, but..." When I read what Elizabeth said about technology distracting other students, not just the student using it, I couldn't help but tuck my tail a little. If we look at technology use and its "rippling effect" under the guise of our self-regulation readings, there may be students who can resist the temptation, but it would take a significant amount of cognitive effort (and multitasking) to try to pay attention in class and avoid those undesirable impulses.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I love the fact that at least you saved some paper. I totally understand being distracted by classmates when they are doing things that doesn't pertain to class, especially in stats. At times I find myself sneaking to check my email, but I feel so guilty that I automatically switch my attention back to the lesson.
ReplyDelete