Re: Computers in college classrooms: 'A new way to not pay attention'
One thing that helps is asking students to turn off their
monitors when you're not using the computers for something specific and
class-oriented. I have simply explained to students that having them on
when we're not using them is distracting, so I'd appreciate it if they'd keep
them off. They complied without complaint.
Amy Crouse-Powers
Senior Staff Assistant
Division of Graduate Studies, Continuing Education,
Summer Sessions & Learning Support
SUNY College at Oneonta
From: Teaching Breakfast List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sven
Anderson Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 9:07 AM To:[log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Computers in college
classrooms: 'A new way to not pay attention'
Teaching in a
classroom with a computer on every desk, is certainly a challenge. The glowing
monitor is like a warm fireplace on a Winters night. The display beckons them to
stare and soon they are ensnared in its magnetic grip. If you have ever eaten at
the local Applebee’s restaurant or Mamma Ninna’s Pizza, with T.V. Screens
positioned over the shoulder of the person you are eating with, you find it very
difficult to not look at the screen of moving images, no matter how much you
hate hockey. My biggest problem is not web surfing but Instant Messaging. It
is very difficult to be standing in front of the class trying to give the best
lecture possible, when half of the students are busy typing away, chatting with
their friends. The most effective method I have for dealing with this problem is
to turn on Apple Remote Desktop and leave it on the projector while I speak. It
displays a list of all the computers in the room and what application is
currently active on each one. Students have a tendency to leave a more
appropriate application open on their computer rather than Instant Messenger or
a web browser.
Sven Anderson Computer Art Apple Distinguished
Educator State University of New York, College at
Oneonta [log in to unmask] http://www.svenanderson.com 607-436-3174
Office 607-436-3482 Computer Art Lab 607-436-3717 Art Dept.
Office 607-433-1266 Home
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