1.(2011·北京卷)C
Students
and Technology in the Classroom
I love my blackberry-it’s my little
connection to the larger world that can go anywhere with me . I also love my
laptop computer ,as it holds all of my writing and thoughts
.Despite this love of technology ,I know that there are times when I need to
move away from these devices(设备) and truly communicat with others.
On occasion, I teach a course called
History Matters for a group of higher education managers. My goals for the
class include a full discussion of historical themes and ideas .Because I want
students to thoroughly study the material and exchange their ideas with each
other in the classroom ,I have a rule -no laptop ,iPads ,phones ,etc .When
students were told my rule in advance of the class, some of them were not happy
.
Most students assume that my reasons for
this rule include unpleasant experiences in the past with students misusing
technology . There’s a bit of truth to that. Some students assume that I am
anti-technology . There’s no truth in that at all . I love technology and try
to keep up with it so I can relate to my students.
The real reason why I ask students to
leave technology at the door is that I think there are very few places in which
we can have deep conversions and truly engage complex ideas.
Interruptions by technology often break concentration and allow for too much
dependence on outside information for ideas . I want students to dig deep
within themselves for inspiration and ideas. I want them to push each other to think
differently and make connections between the course the material and the class
discussion .
I’ve been teaching my history class in
this way for many years and the evaluations reflect student satisfaction with
the environment that I create .Students realize that with deep conversation and
challenge, they learn at a level that helps them keep the course material
beyond the classroom .
I’m not saying that I won’t ever change my
mind about technology use in my history class, but until I hear a really good
reason for the change ,I’m sticking to my plan. A few hours of technology-free
dialogue is just too sweet to give up.