Techdirt: Turning Off Internet In The Classroom Won’t Make Lectures Any More Interesting
This article is interesting from the standpoint of a student and an educator. As a graduate student at a large regional university, I appreciate the ability to multi-task, while in class. However, I must also note that most of my classes are discussion and participation based, therefore my online time while inclass is often related to class.
However, as an educator I feel that the internet is extremely useful for students for fact checking and information gathering. Additionally, if an educator is not able to keep the students engaged there is a problem that is larger than a need to eliminate access to the internet, because those students are not learning whether they are online or just tuning out a boring lecture.
Schools considering this as an option should assess the students needs and determine if the professors who are leading the drive are reaching these students’ needs. This would allow for a real dialogue about how to best meet student’s needs, while providing assets that will enhance student instruction.
