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.