One of the articles we read this week for ENGL 516 was Mueller’s Digital Underlife in the Networked Writing Classroom. The article defined cellphones and out of context use of laptops as classroom backchannels. This definition makes all the texting and use of Facebook students do in classrooms seem like just another form of communication. Of course, most teachers will tell you this is not the case as Facebook use and texting can be a true irritation to the teacher trying to explain directions for an assignment. It’s not so much that students aren’t listening, it’s that we know they’re not listening.
And that’s one of the primary points to pull away from Mueller’s piece. Things like Facebook and Twitter only make all the daydreaming students do more visible. Before students could simply zone out in silence and not pay attention and teachers wouldn’t even know. However, the visibility of these backchannels also makes it seem more likely that students will not pay attention in larger groups. Once one student sees it’s OK to be on Facebook others might do the same. Overall, Mueller’s piece brings up a lot of good food for thought on an issue that is not often productively addressed.
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