I’m sitting in class and getting IMs from someone sitting roughly three feet to my right. And this is normal?
It seems that the art of nonverbal communication has become key for our generation of incredibly lazy college kids who, for whatever reason, can’t muster the energy to talk aloud to the person sitting right next to them.
You can take my word for it-even roommates regularly utilize AOL Instant Messenger for the more awkward favors in life (i.e. if the other would be willing to spare some Cup of Noodles) or just to chat.
Since this ridiculous form of communication has become second nature to most of us, I didn’t question the IM that popped up the other day in class.
It took only a few minutes, and some intense deductive skills, to realize that my roommate was not, in fact, three feet away from me. The friendly clatter of fingers flying across keyboard could not be heard. She and her computer were gone… gone to English class, that is.
If students are actually using AIM in them, are classes requiring laptops really effective? I don’t think so. I, for one, didn’t sign up for one for this very reason.
Computers are undeniably a distraction, especially to today’s generation which just can’t seem to stay off Facebook for longer than five minutes, unless they’re checking their e-mail or updating away messages, of course. You know you do it. And come on now; you know you would do it in class too, given the opportunity.
Do you mean to tell me that if your teacher was droning on about material that had about as much significance to you as what you ate for dinner last Wednesday, that you wouldn’t be tempted to go online? Just check Facebook really, really quick?
You would. Don’t lie.
The allowance of laptops during class is too much of a temptation. It does not provide for a productive learning environment in any way, shape or form. Let’s be entirely realistic about this.
I’m sure there are incredibly focused students out there somewhere who won’t click the little yellow AIM icon. But most of the college population is not that self-disciplined. Why give them the added temptation? It’s just not smart.
Basically, to lots of college kids laptops are like chocolate cake. If chocolate cake (a laptop) is put in front of you during class, common sense says you eat it (or, in this case, go online).
Using laptops in class is just feeding the gluttony of students who don’t really need more sugar added to their already full diet of distractions.
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