(author name redacted)
JRN 200
Out-Of-Class
03/25/14
Slug: Smartphones
As technology advances, smartphones
are becoming a larger part in a growing number of students’ lives serving as
both a source of information and connection but also a distraction.
According to a 2014
study conducted by Pew Research Center on smartphone ownership, as of January 58
percent of American adults owned a smartphone of some kind with ownership
showing to be particularly high among those in their twenties and thirties.
This is an increase of 13
percentage points from what was reported in February of 2012
and an increase of two percentage points from what was recorded in May of 2013
for the amount of adults that owned smartphones COMMA HERE according to Pew Research Center.
Michigan State University Professor
of Psychology Dr. Linda Jackson said technology has been having a tremendous
impact on students’ lives. In an email interview Jackson said, “Just count the
number of students walking around or entering or leaving class with a cell
phone “attached” SINGLE QUOTE MARKS
AROUND QUOTE WITHIN QUOTE to the ears. Consider the number of text messages
students send and receive each day.” GOOD
NEUTRAL EXPERT HERE
WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS OF TEXTS RECEIVED PER PHONE; HOW IS IT UP OR DOWN
FROM RECENT YEARS?
Jackson, whose current research
explores the effects of information technology use on cognitive, social,
psychological and moral development said that technology and social media take
time way from students. START NEW GRAF
HERE; LET QUOTE STAND OUT She said, “It pervades all aspects of a student’s life, from social relationships
with family and friends to academic performance to time for other pursuits.”
CAN WE OFFER SPECIFIC REALW-WORLD TYPE OF EXAMPLES?
Lauren Keiser a MSU psychology
student and owner of a smartphone COMMA
HERE said her phone can be a distraction but she finds that having a
smartphone is overall beneficial and said she mainly uses it to send emails,
stay organized and keep up on social media.
“I don’t watch a lot of TV so
[social media] is my source for current events… it’s like the world is at my
fingertips,” said Keiser. “I use calendars to keep appointments and things. I
actually use an app for homework where it keeps track of due dates which is
helpful.” GOOD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
Fellow MSU psychology student
Aubrey Gilliland said she uses her smartphone for the same purposes, but that
being in constant contact with everything through her phone can get annoying.
Gilliland said, “I’m not one to
text people all the time and when that is something that other people do it
gets annoying.”
Gilliland also said that having a
smartphone is beneficial academically. “Group messaging for group projects is
really helpful because if we all have iPhones we can group message to find time
to work together rather then have to email everyone or call them separately,”
said Gilliland.
Gilliland also said her smartphone
can be a distraction but that it depends on the size of the class. “I’m less
likely to use [my smartphone] in smaller classes but in big lecture halls it is
tempting,” she said.
Dr. Karen Riggs, a professor of
media studies at Ohio University COMMA
HERE said in an email interview that there are those negative implications
to smartphone usage. GOOD NEUTRAL EXPERT
“Communication networks and apps on mobile phones can distract students
from face-to-face communication and studies,” said Riggs. “They can also
interfere with the classroom experience for which they pay so dearly. If you're
texting, even though you might think you can multi-task well, you're likely to
miss some important things in class.”
Riggs, whose research focuses on
media and age, SAID SHE; ATTRIBUTE! does
believe that smartphones are both beneficial and functional.
“Both phone and texting are a great means to keep in touch with friends
and family. Students can make plans, keep up with others when they can't be
together in person, and pursue casual conversation,” said Riggs. “Social
network functions are just as important. Keeping in touch and up to date on
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and now Snapchat, adds value to mobile devices
that suit students' lifestyles.”
She also said that students can best utilize their smartphones by
using them as digital planners and by taking advantage of more easily
accessible communication with professors. START
NEW GRAF HERE; LET QUOTE STAND OUT “Instructors are increasingly using
social networks such as Twitter to make announcements and encourage
conversation,” said Riggs.
Jackson said that when used properly, technology has the potential to
improve academic performance.
“Psychologically there is evidence that technology use can
increase self-esteem, self-competency and self-efficacy. In lay terms, knowing
how to use technology can make you feel better about yourself overall, feel
more competent and believe you can do things you want to do,” said Jackson.
Word Count: 724
Sources
Name: Linda Jackson
Title: MSU Professor of
psychology; Department of psychology; College of Social Science
Email: jackso67@msu.edu
Phone: (517) 353-7207
Name: Lauren Keiser
Major:
Psychology
Email: Keiserl2@msu.edu
Name: Aubrey Gilliland
Major:
Psychology
Email: Gillil19@msu.edu
Name: Dr. Karen Riggs
Title: Ohio University Professor
of Media Studies; School of Media Arts and Studies; Scripps College of
Communication
Email: riggsk@ohio.edu
Other Email: karen.riggs1@gmail.com
Phone: (740) 590-4012
Pew Research Center
“Smartphone Ownership” Study
ASSIGNMENT GRADE: (grade redacted)
INSTRUCTOR
COMMENTS: GOOD OVERALL JOB. NICE USE OF DATA, EVERYDAY PERSON VIEWPOINTS AND
EXPERT OBSERVATIONS TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS SUPPORTED BY FACTS AND ANECDOTES. FIXING
SOME SMALL ISSUES AS NOTED ABOVE WILL BUMP YOUR GRADE UP A BIT.
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