Technological distractions hinder classroom learning

Between laptops and fidgeting students, the classroom is quickly becoming one of the worst environments in which to learn. If the electronic distractions don’t drive you crazy, watching peoples’ quirks will.
In one class I decided to count how many different people were messing around on their laptops, or other electronic devices, or doing anything else that was a distraction from the lecture. Almost everyone did something distraction worthy, which
made it entirely too easy to tune out the professor.
With new technology becoming more readily available for consumers, students’ attention spans are dwindling. One student cleaned his presumably new iPad for a solid three minutes, and the device was not even turned on. Some people surf the Internet during most of the lecture. Technology makes it easy to not
pay attention.
Even if laptop screens are not visible, chatting or surfing on the web is still distracting. The constant clacking of the keyboard is almost as bad, if not worse, than an open screen because it takes so much effort to drown out the sound of the keys. The same can be said of cell phones. Texting may be quieter than a laptop keyboard, but once it’s noticed it’s impossible to ignore.
Even without technology present, people’s little quirks can be just as distracting. Women, or men with longer hair, who absentmindedly play with their hair and tie it in knots or fiddle with a specific strand are just as annoying as the clicking of laptop keys.
Maybe it’s my fault because I want to be distracted from the lecture, but my peers make it easy. Despite how focused and into the lecture I am, once hair twirling or key clacking catches my attention all concentration ceases to exist. This does not mean people need to sit completely still during class, but everyone should realize what they are doing could be making it impossible for someone else
to focus.
It’s common courtesy. Before pulling out your cell phone, instant messaging your friend or playing with your hair in class, think about how your actions might affect other students. Besides, if you aren’t focusing on the lecture, maybe you should just stay home.

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