Take a choice!

I agree with most of the pupils in our class. The computer can be a challenge and it is easy to get distracted by facebook, msn etc. I have to admit that after we got the computers it is harder to follow the lessons. I think we have to choose whether we want to learn or to have fun. I suggest to note in class, that way it is easier to be attentive in class. I also think that it is smart to set certain rules for yourself. When teachers do not want us to use the computers I think they should tell us to shut the lids down. They already sometimes do, however I think they should more often. It is important to remember that we have gone to school in 10 years without computers and we have got through those years perfectly well!

Will computers always be a burden?

I think that we all agree here, and I do not think that very many Norwegian Highschool students would be happy to have to give away their school computers if it came down to that. However, as Lisa pointed out, we have to take responsibility for our learning ourselves when we have access to such distracting tools as computers indeed may be. The main reason for us to use computers at all is to use them as tools of learning, and I would like to hear if any of you out there have any ideas about what one could do to make the possibilities that come with the computers useful instead of them being a burden on the already sore shoulders of our education. What I am trying to say is; What can we do to make computers less of a distraction in the classroom? I would really like some feedback on this, and i would like to hear your own opinion(s) on this matter.

it's learning

If we have to use computers, then I think the teatchers should put some more effort into it as well. Some teatchers use it's learning very well, some do not use it at all. With everyone oranizing their maps and documents messy in different ways, it gets very confusing. Maybe it would be wize to agree on one way of doing it. In some subjects is it impossible to find one's way to the documents the teatcher placed there a week ago!

- Kine

A tool

If the computer is a tool or a distraction is each pupils choice. If you want to spend your day playing games or looking at pictures at Facebook, it is your own choice. School is not a place you have to be, it is a place you have chosen to be. For the students who really want to learn, the computer is a great tool. The computer makes projects and tasks were you co-operate with other students much easier. I think it is the less motivated pupils the computers distract the most.

About the computers

I think computers in school is smart. Instead of putting the whole class into small, warm computer-rooms, or in the worst case, making them write everything by hand, the computers are an easy way to make the learning experience better. In fact, doing your homework on a computer increases the chance of you actually doing your homework. At least that goes for me.

Facebook is, of course, the biggest problem about the computers. With free access to the internet, the temptation is often too strong to handle. The reason, however, is to simply block the internet during the classes. There should be an easy way to do this, so that the teachers can turn it on/off several times during the day. The blocking should also be done in a professional way, not like they do it at Akademiet, where everyone just figure out a way to break trough.

Stub's comment.

I think most of us are on board with Stub's thoughts. It can be difficult to shut the lid when the class is boring, but it's all a mental thing. If one wants to pay attention in class, one simply turns off the computer. But personally I do better by using a computer. It's a great help for collecting information. Writing is a lot easier on a computer, and I get a lot more work done when I'm writing on a computer.

Tool or distraction?

I think the computers can be helpul tool, and a distraction source. They way you use it; is all about what you want. If you want go be good in school you should not play or be on facebook. It's all about how you think and if you want to learn or not. The people who want's to learn and use the computer as a tool does good, the one's who play and do other stuff should have a little more self-discipline. The computers have been very good for the school. It's easy too find facts and use the computers as a tool, but it's also easy to not. If people doesn't want to have their computer, it's fine with me as long as I can keep mine.

ta-da

At some points I do agree with both Stub and Lisa, it is important that the student takes responsibility and shut down the lid when asked or when the teaching takes place at the black board. However, I think the teachers, after the new school reform and the introduction of school computers, are depending too much on the computers and most of the teaching happens on the computer. Then, if I have forgotten my computer it is hard for me to keep up with the lessons.

Agree, BUT!!

It is hard to pay attension, and shut your laptop when the person sitting next to you is hanging on facebook etc.
But that is not something to whine about, because it is all a matter of your strength of will.

The utility value of the digital educational method

After reading several articles on the subject, i find it quite peculiar that so many people think that the computers are the reason for poor results on tests in Norway, and that Finland is the country with the best school system and sensational test scores. Maybe there is another reason for these results. Maybe the teachers are to nice with pupils on how they use their computers in class. Maybe we as pupils do not restrain ourselves enough in our use of computers, and the focus in class is not good enough. However, i agree on the fact that these computers distract us. Maybe a course in computer ethics could be useful for us. Because if we do it right, these computers could be a huge resource in our learning progress. We just have to set goals for ourselves, on how we can make the best out of this huge advantage we actually have with these computers!

Lasse

PCs

I have to agrre with Mr. Aleksander here, because it is all about your own will to learn. a computer is a great tool to use in class, although it can be very distracting some times. I think students just have to make a decision about the use of their computer in class. it is not hard to shut the lid down for a better way of learning, insead of chatting with your friends, and looking at pictures on facebook, we just have to choose not to do it, and I think that's the hard part.

Pupils and PC's

There are many advantages with computers in school. The reason teachers and pupils are so furious is that there are no guide lines. The pupils have no idea how to use the computer in class, instead they use the PC to facebook, msn and to play games. The teachers have also not enough knowlegde about how the computer is to be used in class. In order to make computers in school work, both pupils and teachers have to get together and make some rules and guidelines.

Computers in school is great, and have many advantages, if they are used the right way. There are also some subjects where you don't need computers, like math, chemistry and some occupational courses. When there is no use of the computer, it is important that the teachers take controll and tell the pupils to shut down the computers. If not, the computers will do more harm than good.

Welcome

This is our blog!:)

Kristin & Petter

Anarki

Ok, it's obvious that the pupils aren't satisfied with the way our computers is used, but why do they whine so much about it? All the problems they describe for us, is as a matter of fact just one big problem with an easy solution; Shut the lids down! There is absolutely no reason to evict (clue is amazing;)) the computers from the school, just because they can be distracting. It's all about seeing the computer for what it is; a helpful remedy, and NOT for what it can be; a distraction.

However, I do agree that the computer is more a distraction than a remedy in some subjects, maths for example, but here again the solution is the same. If you don't have use for your laptop, then put it away, simple as that:)

(My apologies for my horrible English)
Aleksander Stub Jentoft, OUT!