Bemidji State News Reporting S'11: Many students use Facebook during classroom time

Mobile devices and Internet are taking away from students’ learning

By Nicole Solum and Kara Smyth

On the BSU campus, Facebook is a constant presence. It can be a distraction that takes you away from your class or study time, but it can also be a useful tool to connect you to the world. Some professors have a real issue with the use of Facebook in the classroom and others are not fully aware of the use of Facebook in the class.For example, James Stone, professor of physical education and head women’s soccer coach, said, “Texting is a huge issue. I hate it. I can’t tell if their on Facebook, but I know they’re on their phones . . . it’s irritating.”

According to Facebooks Web Site they have more than 500 million active users. Two hundred million of those users currently access Facebook through a mobile device. Technology advances every day and allows users to access Facebook from pretty much anywhere, including the classroom. There are so many intriguing things on Facebook that make students want to be connected at all times. While on Facebook they are able to check status updates, look at pictures, relationship statuses, and be connected with their friends. Besides checking up on friends, users can update their own profile. With updates and statuses constantly changing, students feel the need to log on to Facebook during class.

In an informal survey of 55 BSU students, half stated that they are on Facebook during classroom time. Most students access the Internet by their mobile device. However, some use a computer when available. Some students never log in during class; some never log off. One student even stated that “Facebook is all I do during class.” According to Facebook.com press room 250 million people log into Facebook every day. The 50% of students who stated they do not log into Facebook during classroom time note that they do not have Internet access through their phone or computer.

In the survey, 89% of students stated that it affects their study time and school work. Sophomore Tiffany VanHaaften, sport management major, said, “I get on during class just to see what my friends are doing and to see if statuses changed.” Outside the classroom, students admit they are on Facebook when they should be concentrating on finishing homework. “When I’m doing homework I do log into Facebook for a minute, but then it turns into hours,” said VanHaaften.

Professors have a different take. Some professors at Bemidji State University know that Facebook takes away from students’ attention during class time. It’s difficult for professors to catch students on Facebook if they are using their mobile device. However, if a student has a computer in front of them it’s easier for the professor to see what they are doing. Department Chair and professor of accounting Sandra Kranz noted that having students on Facebook during class would bother her. Kranz also stated that if she notices a student on Facebook during class she would invite them to leave the classroom.

Assistant professor of psychology Dr. Angela Fournier stated that she notices students using Facebook during her large lecture classes. During computer lab classes she watches her students very closely to keep them from logging into Facebook. Fournier also mentions that the use of Facebook during class bothers her very much, and that she now has a policy stated in her syllabus about the use of Facebook during class. Students are not allowed to use their laptops in her class at all unless they have a documented learning disorder. It’s difficult for students to absorb vital information when being distracted by Facebook, it is certainly capable of distracting a student to the point where they don’t get anything out of the lecture.

The fact is that Facebook is a complete phenomenon. It gives people a plethora of ways to connect and stay connected with people across the world. Professor of sport management Dr. Eric Forsyth has his own opinion on why people are so into Facebook. “It’s more convenient to stay in an inner circle instead of getting up, driving, going out and meeting, or calling people. Everything is right there at your finger tips.” People are social beings, they want to be connected and interlinked to family and friends constantly and Facebook gives them that.