April 21, 2008
U. of Central Florida Students Couldn't Live Unplugged
So what happens when 28 college students are told to give up technology—cell phones, iPods, television, and video games—for a five-day class assignment?
They all cave, that’s what. Well, all but two, an article in the Orlando Sentinel says.
And there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mary Ann Murdoch, an English-composition instructor at the University of Central Florida, allowed students to undertake the spartan challenge for extra credit. It seems that the overwhelming sentiment about the assignment can be summed up by one student:
“It’d be stupid and dumb to go back to the old ways,” Philip Rogero said. “Why should we inconvenience ourselves when it’s right there for us?” —Hurley Goodall
Posted on Monday April 21, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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They have a library filled with books. Also, these students need to complete assignments. At least grant students the flexibility to use a printer and a word processor to complete assignments. If these students take an online course, allow them this exemption. No other technology is permitted. This experiment can be difficult for students to complete if cell phones are a primary method of digital voice to voice communication. The instructor may not have taken the above into account. These students may have children who are in daycare. So completing this challenge may be impossible if a cell phone needs to be answered due to an emergency. Technology is a part of our lives. However, I am disappointed that they could not live without these entertainment gadgets for five days.
“Chelsea Mullings confessed that she cracked open her astronomy book for the first time this semester, just in time for this week’s finals. – Thats pathetic. At least read a chapter.” LOL
Some took naps or went to bed early. Anything, they said, to fill the void. — Thats actually good.
“This sucks,” wrote Philip Rogero. “I better get a good grade.” — Yep. You better earn a good grade by studying and completing your assignments with effort.
— Frank Apr 22, 08:11 AM #
Dude! It sounds like it was a voluntary fun experiment and it worked as a teaching moment to prove that we are all of us increasingly dependent upon technology.
— Rob Apr 22, 08:29 AM #
Why is technology only defined as: cell phones, iPods, television, and video games? Why not add to that stoves, cars, electricity? It seems like the point was “entertainment technology,” in which case it is unclear why the phone is there since it helps connect people together. (As might the other technologies, depending on their use). I don’t disagree with the experiment, but the the list of “technology” seems arbitrary.
— Nitpicky Apr 22, 08:44 AM #
For typical student cell phone users, critical calls are the least of the cell phone’s functions. Texting, streaming media, games, etc. are the interactive features for which the phone is merely a foundation. It sounds like this professor lives closer to student lives than many faculty. I’m sure when she gave the assignment she wasn’t worried about how many extra credit points she’d actually have to give up … I’m surprised two students made it.
— Matthew Apr 22, 08:54 AM #
To # 3 — There’s an unstated generational issue involved. “Tech” here seems to mean (except for tv, which academics have tended to sneer at since the 1950s anyhow) technology since circa 1985 or 90 that students are totally used to having around, and professors know they totally survved without while growing up (and many of which they still don’t use and may never use).
I.e., it’s just an old codgers’ “them younguns” meme, with a bit of elite culture vs. pop culture mixed in too, but dressed up as sociology to give it suppositious authority.
— G D Apr 22, 11:38 AM #
What were the profs willing to give up during this experience? PBS docs? Cultural events? Blogging on The Chronicle?
— Chris Willis Apr 23, 10:59 AM #