The internet is a big part of our world today. It is how we
do homework, research, and social networking. Without the internet this
assignment would be much more challenging than it is. According to lecture, in
1969 ARPANET was created out of fear of nuclear war and it was the first
decentralized computer network. Hypertext was created in 1980 and then came the
World Wide Web. The internet took on a life of its own and became so essential
to everyday life as we know it to be today. There are many concerns with the
internet however, involving focus and concentration among college students and
whether it is a factor in receiving lower grades. Many students can admit that
they have browsed the internet while in class and gotten on facebook while they
should have been doing homework. Could the internet be responsible for
declining grades among students, or is there another reason for this entirely?
According to an article found in a social sciences database, “students devote a
significant amount of time to both academic (M = 1.82 hrs per day) and
recreational (M = 2.50 hrs per day) Internet activities, and that Facebook
users (n = 153, 96% of the sample) spend an average of two hours per day on the
site, accounting for almost half of total time spent on the Internet and approximately
80% of recreational use” (O’Brian). This proves that the internet is not
specifically used to be unproductive, but also used for academic reasons. You
may or may not be surprised to find out that almost two hours a day are spent
on facebook and this can lead to large amounts of distraction as any college
student could tell you. The article goes on to say that “despite these
findings, a regression analysis revealed no significant relationship between
Internet and Facebook usage patterns and academic performance” (O’Brian). I was
a little shocked to learn this considering how much time is spent on the
internet but I’m relieved to know that there is no correlation between academic
performance and Facebook usage. This gives me some peace of mind while I
distract myself for a while on the internet and then return to my assignments.
One might even argue that the little breaks help to concentrate and retain
information in the long run.
Works Cited
O'Brien, Shannon J. "Facebook and other Internet use and the academic performance of college students." Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences. Vol.72(8-A),2012, pp. 2682. Web. 18 April 2012.
I do admit, I fall victim to using Facebook in class! After 30 minutes of lecture, you need that little pick me up to get you through the rest of class. I agree that there’s no correlation between academic performance and Facebook usage. My Facebook usage only last about 15 minutes out of an hour and 15 minutes of class but the rest of the time I’m an active participant.
ReplyDelete-Christine Lee
Guilty as charged, even though I try not to jump on Facebook while in class, my bad habit takes over and before I know it I’m surfing the network. Although I am guilty of the crime, I don’t feel it has any correlation with ones academic performance, everyone has had some sort of distraction whether it be a social network , texting, eating and many other things, we can’t blame low scores or poor academic performance sole on Face book.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Lopez
This is now my last semester in college and I must say Facebook is a big distraction. In most of my classes I sit on the top row. I cant believe how many people are on Facebook during lectures. My junior year of college I deleted my Facebook because I found myself on the website instead of doing homework. Its interesting to me this study found no correlation but its also good to know. I think as a college student you have to do what works for you. Some of my friends limit themselves and others don't allow themselves until their work is done. I think its good for everyone to do what works for them.
ReplyDeleteAndrea Sanchez
I am a little shocked that the computer has no effects with grades for college students. Every class there always has to be someone on facebook not even paying attention. I know I even catch myself looking over and getting distracted when someone has their computer. Internet is really distracting and I do find myself getting on facebook before I even start my schoolwork on my computer.
ReplyDeleteAline Gonzalez
I enjoyed this article, i do agree with the statement that distracting your brain for a little while and then going back to studying, does help your memory and attention span. I also agree that Facebook and the other new age social networks could have a link to the declining grades in college students. If the students are getting on facebook during their class lectures, than there is a high chance that they are tuning out what their professors are saying.
ReplyDeletejamie Boston
I love this post! I can honestly admit that I too get easily distracted by the computer, but at the same time I feel that I have learned so much through having such convenient access to the internet. People always talk about our generation being addicted to having the answers to all of our questions "at our fingertips" and I feel like this is part of the reason we spend so much time on the internet. I can see why there is no prominent correlation between grades and computer use, because in my opinion it depends on the type of person and whether they choose to use it only for entertainment or for educational purposes.
ReplyDeleteSofia Oliver
I'm not entirely suprised to hear that the Internet does not have an effect on grades. Whenever I get to doing my work, I turn off the distractions, something a lot of my friends do as well, and I can only assume other college students. Maybe it has a negative effect on certain individuals, but that's be expected, some people are extremists.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's very concerning that so much time is spent on social network sites. Think back 5 years ago and Facebook was still struggling to attract college users. With the following that Facebook has today it commands a presence like no other company. Never before has there been a website with as many connections as Facebook. Almost every website you visit has that infamous "f" logo or a "connect/sign-in with Facebook" option. The part that worries me the most is both Facebook and Google both have very questionable privacy policies and both seem keen on being able to control/market almost every part of your life. It'll be interesting to see where things are by 2015! -Quincy Davis
ReplyDeleteI agree with how much social networking has taken everyone by force, especially our generation. The symbols for the most prominent social networking cites can be recognized everywhere. Although this may sound dramatic, I really do believe that such social networking has become an addiction for most social networking participants. You can now even receive notifications on you cellular phone when you are not on your computer!
ReplyDeleteKacie LaCombe
That is a little interesting to know, as Andrea said in her post, if you sit in the back of a lecture hall you can see just how many people are actually on internet, checking Facebook or the like. It is a little distracting. And I will admit that I personally have been guilty of this as well, but I found that it was too distracting for me and my grades were slipping. So now I don't even bring my computer to class, I write the notes the old fashion way, and sit at the front of class so as I don't get distracted by those that are on Facebook during class.
ReplyDeleteRachel Grippin