The Mid-Atlantic University: Ungraduate Statistics

 This graph is comprised of 111 full time students surveyed with more than 12 credit hours per semester. 90 female students, and 21 male students. This graph goes by their year classification; 55 freshmen, 18 sophomores, 28 juniors, and 10 seniors.

This graph is comprised of 111 students who took a survey. The graph shows the percent of majors  chosen by the students. As you can see the majority of students who attend the University are with the College of Education at 64.8 percent. Fine Arts and Communications 1.9 percent. Health and Professions 4.6 percent. Liberal Arts 16.7 percent. Science and Mathematics 8.3 percent. Honors College 1.9 percent.

Digital Mediums an Educational Necessity or a Crutch ??

When going through different levels of schooling, there are certain things one is told not to do. Among those, having a digital medium out in class is one of the most distractions of the new generation. Personally, I cannot explain how many times I have been caught on my phone in class. For me, it seems to be extremely ineffective to be on a laptop taking notes. With one click of a button, I could be doing something completely different other than taking notes in class. In addition to all of the other factors, I have Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD, which does not help my concentration process at all. Although my laptop is my main distraction, many people find the use of their mobile device to have a bigger impact.

When using a laptop in class you should begin to realize something about yourself within the first couple of minutes. Either you realize you are horrible at multitasking or you are actually a believer that you pretty skilled at it. Multitasking has actually been found to be impossible, ones focus is always on something greater than the other. Because of my ADD, focusing even on one task, especially in Journalism where we get directions on websites, course pages, etc. is challenging. It is especially challenging just following along as you get a lot of directions in such a short amount of time. 

I feel as though writing notes freehand is a more effective way of learning, as opposed to taking notes over the computer. While writing with an old fashioned piece of paper and pencil, one is thinking of what they are writing down and that is triggering part of their brain to remember that certain note. Why do I choose this side? Simply put, there is too much to process on a computer and listen to a lecture at the same time. I believe that when you write things out you retain the information easier. It is no different than saying something over and over in your head; same process, different method. I have always viewed taking notes freehand as a way of getting a jumpstart on studying, because once I have written the notes some words and definitions have stuck in my head as I wrote them down. I just won that battle against myself. 

I agree with Oppenheimer & Mueller as they explained the professor’s side of things. Most professors believe that laptops serve as a distraction from the lecture in class. I agree with this, because I have seen countless times where students may take notes every couple of minutes so the teacher does not notice. Meanwhile, three to four students have multiple windows up looking at youtube.com, or barstool.com.   Not only is this a distraction to themselves, in a lecture setting this a distraction to everyone around them. As students, I am not sure that it is necessary that we have laptops while in school. The cost does not outweigh the trouble.  

I have a great article that helps me establish a bit more credibility on the subject. My scholarly source comes from the NY Times, and it was recently published about the same thing we had our Thursday class discussion on. Teachers feel as though their students attention span is shortening due to the digital mediums they deal with everyday. How can we learn from this article? Ms. Molina Porter made a great point in a question she asked in the article. She was quoted asking, "Are we contributing to this?", "What's going to happen when they do not have constant entertainment?" It is very important that she ask such a thought provoking question like that, because it challenges the opinion of everyone who sides with having a digital medium in class. 

Although both sides make valid points that are difficult to argue against, I think the most important aspect of this argument is indeed education. Everyone is different in their own way, with that being said, some people may be able to multitask effectively with a laptop during class., while others struggle. We have to accept that, and vice versa. Regardless to how you learn the information, the most important thing is that you retain it. Knowledge is power, make sure you are empowering yourself.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/education/technology-is-changing-how-students-learn-teachers-say.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0