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AlexandraRosenFirstEssay 5 - 22 Dec 2015 - Main.AlexandraRosen
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| | | I consider whether the use of laptops in classrooms is aiding the evolution towards human ignorance in the machine’s fight to control the human race. | |
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< | Laptops have become standard equipment in higher education, replacing paper and pens in students’ backpacks. In this new era of “ubiquitous computing,” there is an ongoing debate as to whether laptop use in classrooms hinders or helps student learning. While the increasing interconnectedness of society and computing is often portrayed as a positive step to giving us a more efficient future—e.g. with computers, an individual can perform numerous tasks at one time and, thanks to advents in software, can perform each task more quickly—the current structure of college classrooms provide strong evidence to the contrary. | >
> | Laptops have become standard equipment in higher education, replacing paper and pens in students’ backpacks. In this new era of “ubiquitous computing,” there is an ongoing debate as to whether laptop use in classrooms hinders or helps student learning. While the increasing interconnectedness of society and computing is often portrayed as a positive step to giving us a more efficient future—e.g. with computers, an individual can perform numerous tasks at one time and, thanks to advents in software, can perform each task more quickly—the current structure of college classrooms provide strong evidence to the contrary. However, if we take this opportunity to accept our reality—digital technology is and will continue to be present in most aspects of our lives including our education, both in and out of the classroom—we can then take the progressive step and ask: how can we take advantage of this reality?
In order to figure how to best utilize “ubiquitous computing,” we must first understand its potential costs and benefits. | | | Laptops hinder classroom learning. | | | Next steps... | |
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< | Despite continued commentary and evidence challenging the continued invasion of laptops into classrooms (particularly higher education classrooms), the reality is that the prevalence of laptops and similar personal computing technology is growing. In light of what appears to be the inevitable, how (and what) can we change to make the existence of laptops conducive to comprehensive learning in classrooms? First, we should work to create software that makes it easier and more conducive to take effective notes in class. Second, educators should adapt to changing times and cater the structure of their classes to positively integrate laptop use into classroom activities. | >
> | Despite continued commentary and evidence challenging the continued invasion of laptops into classrooms (particularly higher education classrooms), the reality is that the prevalence of laptops and similar personal computing technology is growing. In light of what appears to be the inevitable, how (and what) can we change to make the existence of laptops conducive to comprehensive learning in classrooms? First, we should work to create software that makes it easier and more conducive to take effective notes in class. Second, educators should adapt to changing times and cater the structure of their classes to positively integrate laptop use into classroom activities. Third, students should figure out how to use laptops to their advantage inside (and outside) of classrooms. Laptops and digital technology do pose significant benefits to students including: to students including: providing up-to-date information and resources, peer interaction and feedback, valuable and customizable "tools" such as the ability to record lectures and re-listen later on at their own pace, and teaching students how to be productive and efficient in the real world--where digital technology is omnipresent. | | |
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< | * Edits in progress...I see your point very clearly. | >
> | * Edits made, second draft above, as of 12/22/2015
- Thank you for your feedback. I think I am still learning how to use digital technology to help, rather than hurt, my learning. Although, I had failed to consider how my inability to co-exist with digital technology in the classroom will hinder me in my future career and, forgot to consider all of the advantages--even I find--using digital technology in education (like spell check, outlining and re-organizing information, presentations, and surely, as you reminded me, listening to or re-watching lectures (which has been a huge advantage for me throughout my learning).
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