Computer in the Class Room

The article discussed in class on Thursday really got me thinking about computers in the classroom. I am going to talk about this from my prospective. I am a college student that seldom takes notes. It is not that I don't think note taking works, I just don't think it works for me. If I have note paper I tend to doodle in class and it severely shatters my ability to focus in class. However, I like to learn and if I have a computer in front of me I tend to use it to look us things I am unsure of while in class. I feel like this serves two purposes. First, I get a better learning experience out of the class, and secondly I gain the confidence to be more vocal in class. If I am able to double check my point of view and back it up quickly with some facts I am much more likely to express that viewpoint in class. I don't think that I am the average classroom computer user.

I often disheartened when I look around a classroom and see the number of students who are not paying attention or even trying to be evolved. I feel it is these people for whom a computer in the classroom is a terrible distraction for. I pay a lot of money to go to college. I am incurring a great deal of debt and work 30-35 hours a week to support myself on top of full time college. I realize that once I graduate I will be expected to be worth a damn. I will need he ability to think on my feet and to explain myself in a concise and effective manner. The classroom is a great place to practice these skills. I think the problem many students have is that to them college is a place to end childhood instead of a place to start adulthood. I don't think any amount of laptop or technology bans will help these student learn until they gain a thirst for knowledge on their own. I feel like bans like this are much more likely to hurt students like me who use their laptops as a way to augment and understand lectures better.