http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=53691 Blogen-us Wed, 07 May 2008 03:53:22 PMWed, 07 May 2008 03:53:22 PM http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=536912008-05-07 This "multi-tasking" blather barely works for people who are proficient at what they do. What we have here are people still learning to be lawyers. Put the toys away, wade into the discussion. Be part of the "learned discourse" not a typing robot. This is what the profs mean. I think they're right on the money. I've been at way too many meetings where the mental presence was muti-tasked right out of the room and nothing was accomplished. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=536912008-05-06 Taking internet away does not take distractions away. Laptops can still play games. iPhones and Blackberry's can still access the internet. Small slips of paper can still be used to doodle/pass notes. Pens can be tapped. Distractions have always existed and will always exist. Taking away what is fast becoming a necessary technology in contemporary classrooms is just plain foolish. These professors may not see the need for constant internet access in their classrooms right now, but they are teaching to people who have a completely different mindset regarding these technologies. And subject matter such as law should be prepared to take advantage of the fact that they can get up the minute information. As technology, especially 'net based technology, expands and develops, the classroom needs to learn to use these tools to their advantage, not shut them down entirely. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=536912008-05-05 Being able to manage technology and communicate effectively are traits that every professional in today's economy must possess. It doesn't matter if that professional is a lawyer, a teacher, or the guy working behind the deli counter. I'm sure none of us have "ostentatiously" read a newspaper in a meeting, but we probably have all received email, IM'd colleagues, etc. while in a meeting. Does that mean we don't respect our boss or the meeting? No. It means that we are effectively managing our time in order to increase productivity. The bottom line is that the students need to be responsible enough to manage their ability to multi-task. It shouldn't be the responsiblity of the school. Businesses don't turn off internet access during meetings, so the school shouldn't turn it off during class. If I were an educator, I'd find out why students felt that browsing the web was more engaging than my lecture. I'd then incorporate more of that into my own classroom. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=536912008-05-02 While this may make sense from a professor's perspective, who may consider it unprofessional, it is still an infringement on the students' perspective. First of all, these students are considered adults. They are ultimately paying for this education, and if they wish not to participate, that is their perogative. Colleges forget who their customers are. It isn't the professors and teachers; it is the students. Students' behavior will show up in the final analysis: if you don't pay attention, then you won't pass the class, and you may not graduate. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=536912008-05-02 I fully agree with dimedio. Also, it might be wise for the administration to integrate technology into the given curriculum. After all, attorneys of the future will probably need it for their work to be competitive. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=536912008-05-02 As lawyers they need to learn to communicate and be alert. I would not hire a lawyer that could only communicate in net. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=536912008-05-02 Perhaps the university should promote more student centered learning that focuses on collaboration, team building, research, critical thinking rather than teacher directed lecture and note taking. This is the 21st Century and technology should be a given in classrooms.