When I was in college, I always found something to occupy my time if the lesson didn't interest me. I seldom caused trouble and was only reprimanded once when a professor noticed that I was reading a magazine in class. For the most part, I occupied myself by doodling on my notes.
When students are hooked up to technology, they are often in their own worlds. With gadgets getting so small, teachers may not even notice that their students are surfing the net. The University of Chicago Law School recently banned internet access during class in hopes that the students will listen more and surf less.
The school announced April 11 that the distractions afforded by wireless internet access no longer will be available during class time, although laptops still will be permitted for note taking.
The move comes as educators at schools and universities nationwide have struggled with how to keep students on task at a time when most have personal technology devices they bring to class. Although many professors have taken steps to block internet access during their instruction, the University of Chicago Law School is believed to be among the first to implement a school-wide ban.
Students will always be tempted to engage in off task behaviors during class. I'm glad that I didn't have a distraction as powerful as the internet during my college days. Just think of all of those online magazines!