Looking back on my education, I did not see a surge of technology in the classroom until I moved to Virginia in 2008. I remember being completely freaked out by my new school’s Smart Boards, laptops (we called them COWS, which means Computers On Wheels), and clicker systems for class. That was just the start of it all, and going into high school we used those same devices and even some new ones. In my opinion, the Smart Boards were great for classroom participation because the teacher could project a big presentation and even “write” on the slides as if it were a dry-erase board. However, all of these technologies I found astounding in middle and high school seem slightly basic compared to the amazing technologies I have access to at Virginia Tech.

One thing that amuses me is that among all of these technologies and laptop requirements, I find that a lot of my professors ask that we take handwritten notes and put our laptops and smart phones away. At first, I am always mad when professors ask the class to do that. I always think, “do you realize how hard you’re making my life right now? I cannot write that fast!” On the other hand, when professors tell the class that we can use our technology however we want and it is up to us if we want to pay attention, I always find myself getting way more distracted than I do in those “pen and paper” classes. A word document of notes gets pushed away for a Buzzfeed article or a new e-mail, and then I’m gone for the duration of class. While I think having my laptop or iPhone out makes me feel more comfortable in class, I pay more attention when I have to do handwritten notes, so I think technology might not always be the most helpful thing in class.

Knowing about technology in the classroom from experience, I have determined that as an educator, I would utilize technology for instruction and student interaction, but I would ask my students to write handwritten notes. Yeah, yeah, I know I said I hate that professor that does that, but when I say hate, I really mean respect. It takes a lot to ask a class full of students who are so used to the instant gratification a laptop or smart phone provides to disengage for a while, but it truly is for their benefit. I want to be able to expose my students to the advantages of technology and how they can use them in creative ways, but I also want to show them that there is much more to explore and learn outside of technology. The text, e-mail, article, snapchat, or tweet can wait. Get it it out of your head, and get in the moment where you have the opportunity to learn and expand your mind. Be present!