Drake University offers a wide range of courses for students to take, most of which require the use of technology for notes and class work. However, some classes have put a strict ban on technology in class, allowing its use for homework only. I understand that there are some classes where tech just doesn’t fit in, but classes that outright ban tech bother me.
As an education major, I understand the “no technology in the classroom” stance. Technology can be distracting for students — I won’t lie and say I’m immune to the call of Wordle or social media scrolling every once in a while.
If we were in high school, I’d be 100% on board with no tech in the class, but that’s the difference; we’re not in high school, we are in college. This is the time to let us sink so we can learn to swim.
If someone goes to class and just scrolls through their feed the whole time, then that is on them. Why should the rest of the class have to go tech-free for a “what if” scenario? If someone decides not to take notes or pay attention and just messes around online the whole time, then that is their decision.
On top of feeling like a punished child, no-tech courses can be impractical in some ways.
Earlier this semester, I sustained an injury to my dominant hand, which made it hard to use a pen and paper. Because it was such a freak accident, I didn’t have the chance to reach out to my teachers to ask for permission to type instead. So I had to just sit and listen, which was hard. Getting notes from a classmate was difficult to do as everyone takes notes differently and I may have chosen to write things down that they didn’t. There are accommodations for those who need them, but one-off incidents are hard to manage.
It can also be impractical in other ways, such as when you have a professor who talks really fast or really quietly. People can only write so fast, so when you have a professor whom you can’t understand, it can be frustrating — especially when a professor goes on a long rant about something and then ends it with, “this will be on the exam.”
I do understand the use of tech-free classes, especially for some specific types of classes like discussion-based classes or physical art courses. However, for other classes, it just doesn’t make sense. For one of my classes now, the professor even takes off points for technology use in class. I understand that some professors are against technology as a whole, but we can’t avoid technology forever. In fact, it’s getting harder and harder to do it.
Some people do genuinely prefer a notebook and pencil over a laptop or iPad, but it should be up to the individual what note-taking method they use. Technology use in the classroom should primarily be in the hands of the student.
