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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Keep Computers Out of Class, Prof Argues

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(Newser) – An SMU dean has a message for his fellow college professors: Ditch the PowerPoint. Jose A. Bowen isn't anti-technology, explains the Chronicle of Higher Education, he just thinks too many instructors rely on it as a crutch. He's challenging others to "teach naked," without computers in the classroom, that is. Instead, give students podcasts of lectures before class, then use class time to debate and think.

A growing body of evidence backs up the approach—and Bowen is far from the only advocate on the college scene—but one big hurdle remains: getting students to go along. They're used to sitting back passively during those 50-minute lectures, says another SMU prof who's trying Bowen's approach. "If you've spent years not speaking, you're going to be ticked off" when asked to participate. "We have to move past that resistance."

Too much technology in the classroom makes students tune out, says one school of thought.
Too much technology in the classroom makes students tune out, says one school of thought.   (Shutter Stock)
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"The first response from students is typically, 'I paid for a college education and you're not going to lecture?'"
- Glenn Platt, a professor of marketing at Miami who uses the approach

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5 comments
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SBS
Jul 21, 09 9:17 PM CDT
I will say that I believe that Dean Bowen is not entirely incorrect. I teach a class on occasion and power point is "crutch" I use. To really teach and engage students is a hard thing to do. To really engage the students and get them to think and interact, versus standing up and lecturing, is a difficult process. My hat is off to the teachers that can do this. Reply
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+8
ruserious
Jul 22, 09 8:39 AM CDT
Yes, yes, yes. Students pay much more attention where there's a live professor that engages the class and asks questions and refuses to let them zone out! PowerPoints are too much like TV or a computer screen, which we see all the rest of the day. I went to a small liberal arts college with classes topped out at 30 people, and it's really hard to zone out with only 10 or so others around you. Also, I initially thought this was going to be about students not having laptops in classrooms, and I think that's not a good idea, either. I never saw someone come to class with a laptop to take notes and not check their e-mail or IM or facebook or something like that. It's too distracting. I guess I'm just old school. Reply
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Unaffiliated
Jul 22, 09 9:45 AM CDT
Learning to deal with distractions like email will be an important skill to master. Students will have to learn how to set aside a time for checking email or Facebook, and keep those things separate from class or study. Speaking of which, I better get back to work and stop commenting on silly news articles online.
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+2
Reader64481089
Jul 22, 09 12:18 PM CDT
I remember well sitting through hours and hours of PowerPoint Presentations, they bored me to tears and left me numb...When placed in a lab where we could interact or a live discussion where there are Q&A sessions that caused us to think actually stick with the student longer as they actively participate....Oh Gawd I hate PowerPoint for this very reason :( Reply
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+1
radnip
Jul 31, 09 3:22 AM CDT
I say keep cars off campuses. Horse buggies are perfectly adequate and MUST quieter and less distracting! Reply
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