Few things should be as important to our community as regaining and establishing our common sense that the classroom should be a place for learning and interaction. Visitors to classes, as well as many of our students, report that the rate of distracting Internet usage during class is astounding.
Remarkably, usage appears to be contagious, if not epidemic. Several observers have reported that one student will visit a gossip site or shop for shoes, and within twenty minutes an entire row is shoe shopping. Half the time a student is called on, the question needs to be repeated. I confess that as I have researched this subject, I have been made aware how offensive it often is when phone calls are taken in public and when Blackberry and other e-mail devices are consulted during meetings. I have promised myself that I will no longer check my Blackberry under the table at University meetings.
Kelly Jessup on 10 Jul 10Did you know that Virginia was the first state to require Internet Safety training in schools? With the rise of social networking and cyberbullying Bob McDonnell (Attorney General at the time) got the law passed to require this in schools. I think it requires at least a one hour lesson each year for every student.
Andrew Stevens on 11 Jul 10I have actually enjoyed teaching the internet safety lessons to my students the past 2 years. I wonder if there is a possibility of some legislature requiring internet safety lessons for parents.... Just a thought.
Melissa Reams on 11 Jul 10I think one hour per year is minimal. I am glad it exists, but maybe a few times a year as a follow up and reminder for the kids???
