By: Dave Aston
BLUE BELL, PA--Like most modern technologies, mobile devices, such as smartphones, both assist and interfere with our day-to-day activities.
According to a Pew Research presentation, more than 85 percent of America is connected to the internet. Nearly half by smartphones.
This persistent mobile connection has created a culture of “got to have it now”, “got to know it now”. Combine this with the ability of a smartphone, and devices like it, to display ads and multi-task like a computer, distraction naturally comes into play.
Mike Giampaolo, a liberal studies student here at Montgomery County Community College, agreed that distraction is a problem.
“[Mobile devices] can really cut into your time,” he said. Mike uses his mobile device, an iPod touch, for a myriad things. Emails, the Blackboard app, contacts, music and homework highlight just a few of such things.
Chris Markopulos, a digital audio production student at Montco, echoed the sentiment. He uses his iPhone for just about everything from contact management to music playing to homework to writing and composing. Except Chris’s primary complaints of his device of choice that he uses “literally everywhere” are its short battery life and “lack of sync”.
The reaction from Montco faculty was a little more diverse.
Matt Porter, the Senior Producer and Technical Services Manager for Montco’s Arts and Humanities Division, loves his mobile devices. Of his iPad, smartphone and laptop, he said, “They connect you to anything...anytime.” Porter sees this as a blessing and a curse.
When asked about the downsides of his mobile devices, he replied with the same answer. He added that though it’s nice to be connected, it’s nice not to be connected. He said being too connected leads to something he hates: “Earphone Zombie Mode.”
Assistant Professor of Geology, George Buchannan, would make Porter proud. He uses his two mobile devices, a laptop and a smartphone, for specific, limited reasons. He uses his smartphone only “when needed.”
Professor Buchannan, who mostly uses his laptop, said these technologies make many things like disseminating information, writing notes and distributing exams easier. Unlike most that were interviewed, he sees no downsides to the use of mobile technology.
Colleges and universities don’t see any downsides either as they continue to push for a greater online, thus mobile, educational presence. This necessity is becoming a nuisance. Most students who use these mobile technologies every single day are pushing back in the form of wanting more in-person education.
A recent Educause study showed students, like ours, have an increasing desire to have more of their education face to face. Not online or mobile.
CNN backed this up with the opinion of business owners. “Being able to attend when you want means you have no face-to-face, so there are no real-time answers to questions you have," Dannie McClain, a New York business manager told CNN. "You...have to wait for...someone on IM that can answer you."
Montco does its best to strike a balance. As recently as this semester, an on-campus version of one of the Health and Wellness classes, ESW 235, was launched. Previously, this class was only available online.
One thing is clear, regardless of how we use, or how often we use, any mobile technologies, we always have to deal with their ups and downs.
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