Staff Member Interview

If students think their classes are hard to manage with the distraction of technology is difficult, teachers should be even more stressed. Professor Smith, an AWC teacher of eight years, constantly is distracted by students' phones and computers during class. He has also realized that the students who easily get distracted from technology are more likely to fail his class. When asked if technology is important to students in their classes, Smith declared "students should avoid using their technological devices in class because it distracts them from what the teacher is teaching". I completely agree with Smith's accusations. I have observed classes in which students never get off their phones and completely ignore the teacher's lesson. Technology should be left outside the classroom in order to ensure full attention. According to Smith, in-class cell phone use does not also distract the user, but "it also takes the attention from the teacher". Smith also explained that teachers become distracted with students because they constantly have to tell them to turn off their technologic devices. Allowing technology into classes also increases the chances of cheating. Smith explains that "students often text eachother the answers to test questions in order to score better grades". Smith, and many other teachers, agree that technology in the classroom has more negative effects then positive.

"Allowing technology in classes increasing the chances of cheating."