California State University, Fresno

Texting during class can B distracting 4 U

In a generation of technology and information, students have the ability to engage in constant communication with others, but this practice may actually harm their education, according to a recent poll.

The informal survey conducted around the Fresno State campus revealed some prevalent issues regarding students’ usage of text messaging. It looked at the frequency of text messaging by students and their attitudes about its effects in the classroom.

“This is a multi-tasking generation and many people think they’re not being distracted”? said Dr. Tamyra Pierce, a Fresno State associate professor of mass communication and journalism.

The survey, which was distributed to Fresno State students of ranging class levels, looked at their regular use of text messaging. In particular, it focused on the frequency of text messaging while in class.

Of those polled, 84 percent of students reported that they regularly use their cell phones for sending and receiving text messages. Of those who text, 70 percent admitted to text messaging while in class.

“I’m not at all surprised by this,” Pierce said. “I see it all the time.”

Pierce, who has conducted formal surveys of her own regarding the use of text messaging and MySpace among high school students, said 47 to 49 percent of students text message and 10 percent admitted to text messaging during an exam.

The real question: Is this frequent text messaging harmful to students’ educations? The informal campus poll revealed that 64 percent of students believe that text messaging in class draws their attention away from lectures.

“Several semesters ago I had to go to a ‘no cell phones in sight’ policy because it just got out of control,â€? Pierce said. “Students think they can do it all and they won’t be distracted, but I think they are.â€?

Many students, however, say that their studies are not affected by their texting habits.

Fresno State junior Amy Munson admits to texting on a daily basis.

“I actually have a Sidekick and a cell phone for texting and I’m on them all the time,” said Munson, a communication major.

“Honestly, I text to stay awake in class,â€? Munson said. “As long as I’m constantly doing something, then I won’t completely zone out on what the teacher’s saying. It almost helps me listen because at least I’m getting bits and pieces.”

Fresno State senior Martin Campanella believes the prevalence of text messaging also depends on the type of classes students are in.

“I’m an engineering major,” Campanella said. “It’s mostly guys in my classes, so you don’t see it as much. I think girls text a lot more. It is like they can’t wait to talk about all this stuff.”

Kevin Tague, a third-year health science major, said he rarely text messages but it still affects his concentration.

“You hear it all the time,” Tague said. “Even when phones are on vibrate it gets annoying.”

But this scattered concentration and distraction is what Pierce warns students about.

“You get so engrossed in it and sure you may only miss this much, but that small amount may be what’s on the exam,â€? Pierce said.
While Pierce has enacted a no cell phone policy in her class, many teachers have yet to go that far. Munson said some teachers do get more of her attention than others.

“If someone’s just standing there for an hour talking, guaranteed half the class isn’t going to hear a thing,” Munson said. “I definitely get more involved when there’s interaction in group work and then I won’t text.”

 

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26 Responses to Texting during class can B distracting 4 U

  1. rebecca says:

    This was very usefull. I am writing an artile about texting in class and how it effects others. I made a poll and found similar results.

  2. rebecca says:

    This was very usefull. I am writing an artile about texting in class and how it effects others. I made a poll and found similar results.

  3. mary joshua says:

    yeah,youre right.. texting really affects the academic lives of students.. =)

  4. mary joshua says:

    yeah,youre right.. texting really affects the academic lives of students.. =)

  5. Sherwin N. Pacia says:

    Texting during class is likewise a serious problem here in the Philippines. I hope in the future school authorities will have a lasting solution to this problem.

  6. Sherwin N. Pacia says:

    Texting during class is likewise a serious problem here in the Philippines. I hope in the future school authorities will have a lasting solution to this problem.

  7. Sam says:

    okay so i read what you said and i dont agree with it. if students choose to text during school then its THERE choice. I am currently a junior in high school about to be a senior(CLASS OF 09!) and i choose to text during school and still get all A’s and B’s. It should be the students choice. Teachers freak out about it but if they choose to text they either dont care or they know the stuff so there not going to pay attention. I personally listen to what my teacher has to say and then I start texting. It shouldn’t matter to adults or anyone else. I pay for my own phone(both minutes and texting) so it should be my choice,

    • Anonymous says:

      “I” is always capitalized wherever it appears in the sentence.
      Also, you meant to use the word their instead of there.
      Every sentence begins with a capital letter.
      Don’t is a contraction
      Student’s shows possession
      Sentences end with a period, not a comma.
      Maybe you should pay more attention to details so you want to write at grade level standard.

      okay so i read what you said and i dont agree with it. if students choose to text during school then its THERE choice. I am currently a junior in high school, about to be a senior(CLASS OF 09!) and i choose to text during school and still get all A’s and B’s. It should be the students choice. Teachers freak out about it but if they choose to text they either dont care or they know the stuff so there not going to pay attention. I personally listen to what my teacher has to say and then I start texting. It shouldn’t matter to adults or anyone else. I pay for my own phone (both minutes and texting) so it should be my choice,

  8. Sam says:

    okay so i read what you said and i dont agree with it. if students choose to text during school then its THERE choice. I am currently a junior in high school about to be a senior(CLASS OF 09!) and i choose to text during school and still get all A’s and B’s. It should be the students choice. Teachers freak out about it but if they choose to text they either dont care or they know the stuff so there not going to pay attention. I personally listen to what my teacher has to say and then I start texting. It shouldn’t matter to adults or anyone else. I pay for my own phone(both minutes and texting) so it should be my choice,

  9. Pete says:

    Of course it is your choice. You have a very biased opinion though Sam. Just wait until you get to university and you must listen for the entire time the prof is teaching because if you dont you will definately miss something.
    I believe texting and Facebooking during class distracts both the student and the students around them. No doubt there are negative implications of this.

  10. Pete says:

    Of course it is your choice. You have a very biased opinion though Sam. Just wait until you get to university and you must listen for the entire time the prof is teaching because if you dont you will definately miss something.
    I believe texting and Facebooking during class distracts both the student and the students around them. No doubt there are negative implications of this.

  11. Sierra says:

    hey i use my phone a lot does that make me dumb………i heard it gives you problemss
    why are bad in school idk

  12. Sierra says:

    hey i use my phone a lot does that make me dumb………i heard it gives you problemss
    why are bad in school idk

  13. Laine says:

    Reply to Sam:
    Obviously texting is affecting your learning. You graduate this year and don’t know the difference between there and their?
    “if students choose to text during school then its THERE choice. ”
    Buddy, you NEED to pay attention in class!

  14. Laine says:

    Reply to Sam:
    Obviously texting is affecting your learning. You graduate this year and don’t know the difference between there and their?
    “if students choose to text during school then its THERE choice. ”
    Buddy, you NEED to pay attention in class!

  15. Cody says:

    Reply to Sam:
    I am right THERE with you Laine. Especially if you are going to put the word in all caps you should know the difference between there and their.
    Do yourself a favor, Sam. When you get in college and it is necessary to pay attention the entire lecture- don’t text.

  16. Cody says:

    Reply to Sam:
    I am right THERE with you Laine. Especially if you are going to put the word in all caps you should know the difference between there and their.
    Do yourself a favor, Sam. When you get in college and it is necessary to pay attention the entire lecture- don’t text.

  17. Bonnie says:

    Has anyone foud any other useful articles or studies on texting in class or while studying and the effects on education?

  18. Bonnie says:

    Has anyone foud any other useful articles or studies on texting in class or while studying and the effects on education?

  19. bon says:

    Yes , i agree that texting has a serios effect on the perfcormance of the students!

  20. bon says:

    Yes , i agree that texting has a serios effect on the perfcormance of the students!

  21. Shelley says:

    What no one made a comment about is how unbelievably rude it is. How would you like to spend your time putting together a lecture, intending to impart knowledge to a group of young adults, only to walk into a lecture hall and watch half of them stick their nose into a cellphone and spend the entire class time chatting with their friends? If the friend was there, would any prof allow the students to chat and visit during the lecture? Simply put, it is downright rude not to give the professor your full attention, no matter what else is distracting you.

  22. Maria says:

    i think dat u shud be able 2 text durin class wen u r nt duing nuthin

  23. Ryan says:

    In my high school they had policies that said cell phones had to be turned off and away during school hours. If you got caught you would get suspended! I asked why such a harsh policy was enacted and their response was not only that it distracts the student from the lectures, but also is disrespectful to the faculty. The principal said said the really issue was students organizing fights on campus and other destructive meetings. Now I don't live in a gang infested city or anything there were only a handful of fights.

    Plus in my opinion students don't need to talk to friends while in class. Unless you will die not talking to your friends for a few hours. And in college professors will kick you out if they feel you are wasting their time.

  24. Ryan says:

    In my high school they had policies that said cell phones had to be turned off and away during school hours. If you got caught you would get suspended! I asked why such a harsh policy was enacted and their response was not only that it distracts the student from the lectures, but also is disrespectful to the faculty. The principal said said the really issue was students organizing fights on campus and other destructive meetings. Now I don’t live in a gang infested city or anything there were only a handful of fights.

    Plus in my opinion students don’t need to talk to friends while in class. Unless you will die not talking to your friends for a few hours. And in college professors will kick you out if they feel you are wasting their time.

  25. dantayfia says:

    texting has become harardous for teens. they need to stop before they can’t get help. they may have sore thumbs when they text alot. if it doesn’t get treated, then it can stay there forever.

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