Distractions in the classroom

Katherine Johnson
Columnist

In every lecture class I have, I’ve noticed the majority of people with laptops aren’t taking notes or following along with the PowerPoint. Instead they’re on Facebook, Twitter or maybe online shopping. Realistically, it’s not possible to follow along with a lecture and really understand it if you’re commenting on your friend’s new pictures or browsing for a new watch. If you’re going to do that in class, why bother going?

Classroom distractions are a national epidemic. A staff writer for Harvard’s student newspaper, the Harvard Crimson, found that this is also a problem at their university. While we may expect more from Harvard students, those with laptops inevitably drifted out and checked their Facebook. When asked why they did this, common responses were because they were bored, listening to the lecture wouldn’t help them understand or they just needed a break.

Laptops are the proverbial elephant in the college classroom when it comes to education; we all know it’s a problem, but no one addresses it.

They’ve proven themselves to be a distraction in the learning environment; not just die the students using them but also the students around them. Students easily distract classmates by asking their opinions on potential purchases or gesturing for them to look at pictures. Instead of one student being distracted by their laptop, they’ve taken their friend’s attention away from the lecture and disrupted others around them by having a conversation.

The offenders probably don’t realize it, but their behavior is also rude and disrespectful to the professor. While you probably won’t be singled out in class or even noticed, your actions almost make the statement of “You’re boring me, and I need to find something to entertain myself.” Would you be embarrassed if your professor happened to look over your shoulder and found you were on Facebook instead?

Many classes are too large to take attendance, which is where most of the multitasking takes place. The professor may not be able to tell that you are typing away at a comment on Facebook instead of taking notes, but class still isn’t the place to do that. In the long run, you’re hurting your grade, class performance and future potentials.

Students should take advantage of their college education because not everyone is as fortunate to have such an opportunity. Since we’re at a level of higher learning, many of us will take on careers in service industries and communities that require the best candidates possible. In a globalized job market, we can’t afford to be lax in our studies. It’s our responsibility to make the most of our education and come out of school well prepared for whatever we intend to pursue. Society won’t benefit from college graduates who surf their way through school.