Since I plan to become a teacher, I know one of the biggest challenges will obviously be managing technology in the classroom. I’m all for it because I love technology, it’s become an essential part of our lives, whether we like it or not. I understand that there are downsides to using technology in the classroom. Nowadays, it’s become a strong distraction for students and it’s tough to keep their attention when they have a screen in front of them. In John Warner’s article, Rethinking My Cell Phone/Computer Policy, he shares his policy of banning computers and phones in his class unless they’re needed for a specific activity. In the end, he compromises by allowing students to bring in their devices, but will develop rules later on. I would take a similar approach with my students, setting up boundaries on the use of technology to help them stay focused in class.
I want to teach in high school and in most high schools students often have assigned Chromebooks or tablets and are encouraged to use them in the classroom. From what I’ve learned in my education classes and from friends doing their clinicals, teachers often use apps to monitor students’ screens from their own laptops. If students are playing games or getting distracted, the teacher can lock the device from their laptop. Which seems like an easy solution to help students stay focused. But students also bring their own phones, which creates a different challenge.
Banning phones entirely isn’t something I would do, as they’re important for emergencies. However, I wouldn’t let students use them during class time, I’d set a rule that if I see a student using their phone, they’ll lose points on their next exam or get written up. As for headphones, I would allow them during silent work if students need music to help them concentrate. Outside of class, they can use headphones however they like, but in my classroom, I need their full attention. If they miss something because they aren’t listening, they’re the ones who will be responsible for catching up on their own.
Multitasking is another tricky issue—it’s hard to say if it’s always good or bad because it depends on the person and environment. I somewhat agree with the points Travis Bradberry makes in Multitasking Damages Your Brain and Career, New Studies Suggest. If someone is constantly using multiple screens, it can harm their performance. At work, I multitask by keeping an eye on the children while prepping meals, changing diapers, and running activities. I also have to log all the information they did throughout the day into our tablet while still keeping an eye on the kids. But when it comes to schoolwork, I struggle to focus on my assignments. In class, I admit that while I listen to my professor give a lecture, I play a game on my laptop. But I’ve come to notice that I can’t pay attention to them and play the game at the same time, I have to pick which one matters to focus on.
For working environments, multitasking is essential, you need to stay on your feet and handle tasks as that will come at you unexpectedly. In a school environment, students, especially in college or high school, multitasking with electronics can be more of an escape. Especially if a class feels boring. Honestly, the question of whether technology should be in classrooms is complicated because it has it’s pros and cons.
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