Tag: Kelly Wheeler ’21
Student Laptops in Lectures: Professors Should Allow Technology in Class
by The Cowl Editor on October 4, 2018
Campus
by Kelly Wheeler ’21
Opinion Staff
Technology dominates today’s modern era. Whether you are a student or a member of the working world, chances are you predominantly rely on technology to access information and communicate with others. However, despite our lives becoming increasingly digitized, many professors prohibit the use of laptops in their classrooms.
The main objection that professors have against computer use in the classroom is that laptops can be a source of distraction for students. Professors cannot see what their students are doing behind their screens, and they could be online shopping or scrolling through their Facebook pages instead of taking notes.
Although this concern is valid, professors should not be able to dictate how students can and cannot take notes. Students are paying for their college educations. Yes, students may use their computers during a class for non-educational purposes, but that is their choice. It is up to the student, not the professor, how they choose to spend their time in the class. Students will face the repercussions of their irresponsible actions when exam day comes around. Professors should not treat their students like kindergarteners, for college students are adults with the ability to make their own decisions and understand potential consequences.
Additionally, everyone learns differently. Many students find typing to be a more effective approach for note-taking, especially given the fast-paced nature of college lectures. When students take notes by hand they often find themselves frantically jotting down every word that they see or hear without processing what they are writing. As a result, they frequently leave their classes with pages full of notes that they do not even understand. However, when students can take notes on their laptops, they have the time to think about the information presented to them. Typing enables them to get their notes down quickly, allowing them to look over their notes and ask questions before their professor moves on to a new topic.
Taking notes on a laptop also eliminates the possibility of messy note-taking. If a student is rushing while writing in class, or if they simply have poor handwriting, their notes may be illegible. The uniform fonts and spell check tools used in word processing software on computers prevent these problems that may hinder a student’s learning.
Using computers for note-taking also has an environmental benefit, as it eliminates the need for paper. Students ordinarily buy notebooks for each of their classes, and most of the time, a large portion of paper is leftover only to be thrown out at the end of the semester. Using an electronic device instead of paper for note-taking purposes can lessen students’ ecological footprints.
Like all technology, computers come with various pros and cons. However, a professor’s wariness about laptop usage in the classroom should not restrict students from experiencing the benefits that computers can provide.
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on September 27, 2018
Opinion
Wearing White After Labor Day
Earlier this month, we celebrated Labor Day, a national holiday dedicated to American workers of the past and present. However, this holiday is also known for something else—it marks the beginning of the infamous fashion rule; “no white after Labor Day.”
This mandate is often blindly obeyed, though most people are unable to explain its origin. But if people investigated the genesis of this fashion rule they would see little relevance to present day.
This unwritten dress code developed in the 1950s in the northern urban areas of America. During summer months, wealthy people would leave the city to vacation elsewhere. They would pack a vacation wardrobe, typically consisting of white clothing made from lighter fabrics. Once their time of leisure came to an end and they returned to the city, they would transition back to their darker-colored work attire. Essentially, this fashion rule became a way to distinguish the wealthy, who were able to vacation, from the working class, who were unable to experience that luxury.
Times have changed significantly since the 1950s, and the justification behind this fashion rule is outdated. No longer is white clothing an indicator of social class. White clothing should be worn because it is practical and pleasing to the eye. If you look good and feel good in an outfit, it doesn’t matter what time of the year it is.
So, don’t pack away your white jeans and ivory dresses just yet. Antiquated rules shouldn’t dictate your style, especially if you are wearing an outfit that makes you smile at yourself in the mirror.
-Kelly Wheeler ’21
The Importance of Foreign Language
We can access the other side of the globe with the click of a button, and an airplane can travel anywhere on the planet. With this world growing closer, foreign language is more necessary than ever before.
While those who are opposed to the study of foreign language argue that English acts as a lingua franca, languages are a focal point of a nation’s pride. Many people, even if they do speak or understand English, prefer to speak in their native tongue. Language is an important part of culture and history and refusing to acknowledge this debases the complexities of the world’s history.
A foreign language major or minor can supplement any field of education. Business majors can develop personal relationships when a client’s native language is used, biology majors can more easily interact with patients, history majors are able to understand cultural nuances better, the list is endless.
Upper level courses satisfy oral and intensive writing requirements, and the foreign language departments accept students across all levels. Students should take advantage of this opportunity in order to educate themselves and take advantage of the benefits of foreign language.
A deeper connection begins at bonjour.
-Elizabeth McGinn ’21
Netflix Detox
After binging 90210 for four days straight, constantly going to bed at 3 a.m. and waking up for my 8:30 a.m., I decided this new habit had to stop.
Like millions of Netflix users around the world, my addiction began with the seven-day free trial that is heavily advertised throughout the internet.
As innovative as Netflix is, its downside is that it can easily become a slippery slope to immense dependency and procrastination; something college students are prone to.
Quitting Netflix, or even reducing the amount of time spent watching it, immediately increases the amount of sleep you get and decreases how long you take to finish your work.
Netflix can act as a barrier in your social life, as many students would rather stay at their dorms watching a movie than going out to Bingo, or a soccer game.
So save the money! College students have enough economic hardships as it is. Maybe for some people paying $7.99 monthly is not a hefty price tag, but yearly it comes up to $95.88, and this is only the basic plan. That could be money that goes into your bank account, or to other overriding necessities.
“Netflix and chill” takes on a whole new meaning, as many people rely on Netflix to destress after a long day. Moreover, its downside is that it acts as a distractor and a tool for procrastination.
Do the pros outweigh the cons? That is for you to decide, but it is certainly beneficial to do a Netflix detox to grasp how much time you spend on it per week, and to determine if it is worth your time and money.
Angela Bueso ’22