By Joel Davidson
CCC Journalism Program
Distraction. There’s an app for that.
As new devices enter the public sphere, both teachers and students have found ways to use technology in the classroom.
Dan Fischbach, adjunct professor at the Camden Technology Center, has integrated some of these tools into his teaching.
“It’s interesting from a teaching standpoint,” Fischbach said, “because… I’m able to integrate links and video into my slideshows, so… I can jazz it up.”
Fischbach, who teaches an Internet Tools and Techniques course, also uses Google Drive so students can access notes, quizzes and tests online.
However, Melissa Priore, a senior communications major, has seen another side to technology in the classroom.
“Students use the computers for other classes when they’re in the classes that have the computers.” Priore said. “They use their phones for the social networking. It seems like a lot of the time that the technology is used, it’s not for the particular class that they’re in.”
Fischbach believes paying attention is up to the students.
“If they choose not to listen to me and … go off on a social network… they can,” Fischbach said. “They’re adults, and they choose to pay for this class… If they want to waste their time and waste their money, that’s on them.”
Priore has had professors who agree with Fischbach, but she’s also had professors who are proactive against distractions.
Priore cited Drew Jacobs, a communications professor at CCC, as someone who enforces a no-texting policy during class.
“I’ve always gotten the most out of his classes… because he makes it a point to say ‘This class time right now is this class time, and you need to… disconnect,'” Priore said.
To students entering technology-filled classrooms, Fischbach reminds them that “it’s your money and your time… If you want to spend your time goofing off, then you’re going to pay for it down the road. Your status updates can wait.”