Computers: Helpful or Distracting in School

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In the world we live in today almost everyone in the world is using computers. Whether it is surfing the web on your phone or computer. Since technology is such a dominant part of life these days many schools are starting to join in. More and more schools are starting to buy laptops, iPads, and other electronic devices for their students. Some educators believe that computer access in school is a good thing; others believe that they may interfere with the learning process. There are pros and cons to computer access in school. While I go to a school that provides macs for the students, which in many ways is beneficial for me, I believe that it does interfere with the learning process. The reason that I believe the use of computers in schools is disadvantageous is because they are distracting in the classroom, cheating is more likely to increase, and it is very easy for students to engage in plagiarism.
The first reason that computers in schools are detrimental to learning is that it is a distraction. Many schools provide computers to their students; I go to a school that does provide us students and teachers with Apple Macs, so I have personally seen how computers can be a distraction. I have seen students get on their macs when the teacher is lecturing and play games, watch movies, or listen to music. When I polled 10 students asking if they had ever played games, listen to music, or watch movies when they are supposed to be doing work 8 of 10 said they have. Based on this poll alone 80% of students use their macs during class for other purposes rather than schoolwork. As a matter of fact as I am typing this 5 people have their macs out doing other things besides the work they are supposed to be doing. Computers are not only a d...

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...rk as their own. Students can easily write a five-page essay in a matter of minutes. However, plagiarism is illegal, and takes away the whole purpose of a research project: citing the work. Computers and technology has helped the make outstanding advances; however, computers and other electronic devices should be left at home because it is detrimental to school learning.

Works Cited

Cutler, Elizabeth. "The Computer Conversation: Are Laptops in Class Too Distracting?"
Www.bettergrads.org. BetterGrads, 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 01 Nov. 2013.
Bane, Katie. "Technology Sometimes More Distracting than Helpful in Class." News Net
Nebraska. NewsNetNebraska, 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
Townley, Cynthia, and Mitch Parsell. "Echnology and Academic Virtue: Student Plagiarism through the Looking Glass." Ncsu.edu. Ethics and Information Technology, 2005. Web.
23 Oct. 2013.

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