Why I Just Asked My Students To Put Their Laptops Away Summary

The Legends of Tomorrow

Media technology is helpful in so many ways; on the other hand, it can be disruptive too. In the article “Why I Just Asked My Students to Put Their Laptops Away,” Professor Clay Shirky claims that students are not able to focus on the lesson and easily get distracted with their laptops, leading him to ban the use of technology devices in his classroom. Similarly, in article “Our Photoshopping Disorder,” fashion reporter Erin Cunningham addresses the topic about the use of photoshopped images in advertisements creating unrealistic standards causing harm to people’s health and well-being. Both article oppose the bad habits that people get by using media technology. Shirky and Cunnignham completely agree in their assessment

of how media technology can be disruptive in some cases. Also, each author points out the negative effects of using media devices, the rules and regulations that come with it, and denotes an individual quality of promoting the common good.
First, both the authors agree on the negative effects of using media technology when not used responsibly.

According to Shirky, student gets distracted by another student’s use of their device in the classroom. He makes the comparison that “screens generate distraction in a manner akin to second-hand smoke” (Shirky 20). Students tend to get low grades when they are distracted. Multitasking is cognitively exhausting and each student can choose to opt out of it (Shirky 04). In the same way, Cunningham discusses the negative impact of photoshopped images as it creates unrealistic standards resulting in serious health problems to young men and women (Cunningham 9). Young boys and girls suffer from disordered eating to attempt to replicate impossible bodies they see on deceptive images in advertising. Indeed, the use of media technology along with constant stream of photoshopped images online can be destructive and harmful to people in this

case.
Second, this point is pertaining to rules and regulations that both authors highlighted to elaborate the weight of the issue. Cunningham mentions regulations such as the bi-partisan bill, H.R. 4341: Truth in Advertising Act of 2014 and the First Amendment, among others, hoping to create public awareness and improve the regulation network that will be dedicated to combating false advertisement. Comparable to Cunningham’s article, Shirky did not mention any regulations, but mentions rules such as no devices allowed in the classroom and do not multitask. They are both aware that having rules and regulations can constrain or possibly prevent the negative effects of media technology to give limits to those not responsible enough to constrain themselves.
After observing the negative effect and the laws and regulations to try and deter them, both authors promote the common good through their individual qualities and opinions.

Shirky mentions that he does not have specific reason to ask anyone to set aside their devices, but struggle changes the nature of the classroom once social media interrupts. He took the initiative of helping the students who wants to focus on his lesson by banning the technology devices in his classroom. Just like Shirky, Cunningham wants to point out the lack of accountability the media has and the impact he wants to make. He asserts that photoshopping is associated to increased problems in mental, physical health issues. Therefore, he was trying to push forward the bi-partisan bill in the right direction to have “a small but meaningful step forward for our youth” (Cunningham 7). Both authors serve the common good by protecting the future

generations.
Shirky and Cunningham was trying to persuade the public to use media technology responsibly. Media technology isn’t all bad. People can use online sources for communication and educational resources but in some cases, like the article of Shirky and Cunningham, media technology causes adverse effects on people. Shirky illuminates the power of the young generations by giving importance to his students’ future while Cunningham was certain on his role to push forward on protecting young women. Without people continually revising regulations on and seeking out the common good while using media technology the future of America’s youth will be warped by physically, mentally and emotionally unhealthy individuals; students get lower grades, fewer graduates and will not reach their full potential.