Collegio Online

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Front Page

Media Credit: Salman Alkhulif/Collegio

As laptops with wi-fi Internet access become increasingly common in college classrooms, they also become increasingly distracting, say some PSU professors.

"When I was lecturing, I would often notice two boys in the back looking at the same computer," said Delia Lister, biology professor. "They were obviously not looking at the lecture."
Lister has taught at PSU since 2004, and mostly teaches lecture classes. She says that the issue of computers being used for personal use during class has increased so dramatically that she has banned computers from her classroom altogether.
"I went two semesters allowing (computer use) and this semester I changed my mind," Lister said. "It didn't work out and I think people's test scores showed that."

Lister says that she fears students aren't able to take adequate notes during class.

"I'm old-school and I feel like if you hand write it, it sticks better," Lister said. "That's the way I learned how to do it."
Mike Gullett, instructor in communication, says that he's had the same problems with his students. Most of Gullett's classes are taught in a computer lab, allowing each and every student access to a computer - and the Internet.

"I put it in my syllabus in bold letters," Gullett said. "When I'm lecturing, there will be no computers."

Gullett says that the issue goes beyond the student simply being distracted; it's also just plain rude.

"It's like I'm talking, I'm communicating, but you're communicating with someone else," Gullett said. "I'm here to teach and I can't teach someone who's not paying attention and might be distracting others."

But for some students, computers have become invaluable tools in the classroom. Jerron Davis, sophomore in communication, says he prefers taking notes on his computer rather than by hand.

"During my freshman year, it was strictly pen-and-paper during all my note-taking," Davis said. "I started thinking that it would be a lot easier and faster to invest in a laptop. Since then, I only use my computer to take notes. It's much quicker to type the notes rather than trying to keep up with a pen and paper."
Both Gullett and Lister agreed that computers being a distraction in class has worsened with the popularity of such websites as Facebook and MySpace.

"I can't compete with the Internet," Gullet said. "I'm going to work hard and hopefully before I retire I can compete, but it's moving faster than I am."

Gullett says that if he can't keep students' attention, and keep their eyes away from their computers, then he is doing something wrong.

"I think that's part of a teacher's job to keep class interesting so that it's a good learning environment," Gullett said. "It's important for me to have their attention and keep their attention."

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