Technology Distraction in the Learning Environment

Abstract

The past few years have seen many advances in personal information technology. People are busy, and technology that is intended to help facilitate our tasks often times only seems to increase our busyness, rather than alleviate it. Our lives move at Google speed, and we have become a society that wants and even needs to be entertained almost continuously. It is not unusual, particularly in computer classrooms, to glance in and see students surreptitiously texting on their cell phones, chatting with Facebook friends, and sometimes even boldly playing games while the professor is teaching the class. Many faculty bemoan these actions, and try to limit or prevent their use in the classroom. My observations at conferences and other faculty gatherings would suggest faculty do not behave differently. Understanding the dynamics involved will enable faculty to more effectively manage student technology use in the classroom, and prepare students for the workplace.