On Dec. 3, 1992, a young engineer named Neil Papworth sent the first text message, a simple “Merry Christmas” wish to his colleagues. More than 17 years later, the popularity of text messaging has soared. Students, grandparents, and even young children have become infected with the text messaging craze. Many Ohio State students have become so addicted to this activity that they will text while in class.
Texting during class can be extremely distracting to other students and should not be permitted unless there is an emergency. While sitting in the very front row in a large lecture, I was sidetracked by a young man sitting right beside me. As I was trying to pay attention to the professor, the student was plugging obnoxiously at his phone, playing games, texting idiotic jokes to a friend and not taking any notes during the lecture. I couldn’t help but be irritated. No matter how hard I tried to focus, I was ultimately distracted by this student’s rude and disruptive behavior. I just wanted to snatch the phone out of his hand and stomp on it.
With large lectures and hundreds of students to keep track of, many professors and teacher assistants have began to tolerate poor class decorum. Some educators feel helpless and have adapted a lax attitude towards text messaging. Some professors reckon that the student is responsible for his or her education, and if the texting student misses out on important information in class, it is his or her own fault and only that particular student suffers.
What some of these educators fail to realize is that by tolerating texting in class, some of the more attentive learners become distracted, thus hurting their learning experience as well. Is that fair?
To all the students who indulge in this inconsiderate behavior: knock it off. As bored as you may be, your text messaging is disruptive and disrespectable to those around you, including your professor. The professor cannot and should not have to monitor your behavior at all times, so it is your responsibility to be considerate and courteous to those students around you, even if you do not find the lecture or the professor to be particularly fascinating.
Unless it is an emergency, keep the cellular in your pocket and focus on your education; that’s what you’re here for.
