so I'm an auditory/kinesthetic learner, and I recently decided to start bringing my knitting to class, to see if it kept me more engaged in the lecture and off my electronics. It's pretty much a silent hobby, so I was surprised when a friend/classmate mentioned that she felt it was distracting and rude to the professor and other students. This is a class with many people on their laptops/tablets for lecture. Anyway, I grew up with a knitting mama who had hers everywhere, so I've never really seen it as inappropriate. Just curious what you all think? Would it bother you? More or less than people using electronics or eating in class?
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
(Never been tested for learning differences, not a 50 minute lecture - 3 hrs). Surprised and grateful for the many views expressed here.
You've been a class act throughout, BusyBee. I'm sure you possess the necessary skills to evaluate the impact of your knitting on the learning environment of your instructors/classmates/whoever. Anybody who is a good sport when their thread takes a sideways turn is A-OK in my book!
I still wouldn't want you to knit in my class , but I sincerely hope you get breaks during those 3 hours! I have to step out and stretch or do something physical during breaks, and I break hourly.
I have students that will stand and move to the back of the room, even pace a little; as long as they are behind the rest and not a distraction, I'm okay with it.
my instructors would NOT like it for sure. I'm kinda the same way, I need something to do with my hands as to not distract my ears focusing on lecture.
Just throwing it out there - Our lectures are done off of powerpoints ALWAYS- so what I do to stave off my hand jitters, and its gotten me passing exam grades so far, is type my notes out on the slide, its been very convenient, when printed, to have my notes right next to the corresponding bullet point. For me its more space to take down a note than try to write tiny tiny script in the notes outline they provide us and I type faster than I write. I kinda wish I had started doing this in my very first semester. Every now and again, if I'm really antsy, I'll also change the power point themes and format the bullet-ed points to make it easier for me to read. Doing this also keeps the temptation to surf the internet away - although I admit, I've been known to jump on when I need a visual of a concept every now and again.
RNsRWe - its the only name I could think registering. One of my joys after a long day of studying is to baby talk to my fluffy little maltese/shitzu pup, its his nickname.
BusyBee - this has certainly been a surprisingly enlightening thread.
When I first read your post I thought you must be kidding that is rude..... HOWEVER... I can't sit still. My lectures are two and a half hours long. I have ADD and can not sit and be still while avidly taking notes. Medicine makes me crazy so I sit at least two seats away from my other students and I fidget. My legs bounce, they cross and uncross, I play with my hair, name it.. I can't help it.
I am very conscious of how distracting I am though. If someone where knitting/playing games/texting/fidgeting by me I would want to scream. I do actually forewarn people who sit near me how distracting I am and my instructors are all aware. Personally, I feel knitting is a huge distractor but I'm also sure the people sitting behind me are drawn to the constant fidgeting I do.
Talk with your instructor. See if she has any suggestions. And stay way from other classmates if possible. People who need to "do" something to focus on a lecture shouldn't be ignored but we shouldn't impact others around us either.
Oh my goodness! I must indeed be a COB. In my class, there is no gum smacking, meal eating, knitting, texting, side conversations, and certainly no marching or gymnastics. If students want and pay for education, that is what they should get, in a setting free of distraction. I am trying to help students acclimate to a professional setting. These actions are for break, lunch time, and personal time, not for class.
That said, I work hard to keep class time relevant and engaging, and my students get hourly breaks. As the saying goes, the mind can only absorb what the butt can endure!
You are surprised by the "negative" responses. What makes a response "negative"? Saying it is wrong to knit in class? If someone asks if it is appropriate in a professional class setting to "knit" and someone (me) says it is unprofessional it is not "negative". It is an answer to a question. And when that student gets their butt chewed by a doctor for not know basic med surg I am sure the excuse "I was knitting and missed that part" will go over well. And you can tell the family of your patient as well while they are preparing their lawsuit.
You are surprised by the "negative" responses. What makes a response "negative"? Saying it is wrong to knit in class? If someone asks if it is appropriate in a professional class setting to "knit" and someone (me) says it is unprofessional it is not "negative". It is an answer to a question. And when that student gets their butt chewed by a doctor for not know basic med surg I am sure the excuse "I was knitting and missed that part" will go over well. And you can tell the family of your patient as well while they are preparing their lawsuit.
I would think that when people use phrases like "grow up" and "get counseling" and other personally derogatory terminology, it would most certainly be considered negative.
Posts are not "negative" when they simply say "it is unprofessional" or "I think it's a bad idea". IT IS negative when the response is a personal attack on what kind of a rude human being, and what kind of a horrible nurse, the person who asked the question must surely be.
THAT, clearly, can be seen as negative. Since you posted some of that terminology yourself, I'm happy to help clarify it for you. :)
I'm also thinking that if someone "does not know basic med surg" I'm pretty sure that person wouldn't pass the NCLEX anyway. So not much of a problem in that regard.
My pathophysiology teacher is an MD, who got her degree in Germany. She told us many stories of going to school in germany, one of the funniest ones is that on the 1st day of class she was the only one who brought in a laptop to lecture everyone else was knitting. They told her that us Americans are weird. lol
, but I sincerely hope you get breaks during those 3 hours! I have to step out and stretch or do something physical during breaks, and I break hourly.
nursel56
7,122 Posts
You've been a class act throughout, BusyBee. I'm sure you possess the necessary skills to evaluate the impact of your knitting on the learning environment of your instructors/classmates/whoever. Anybody who is a good sport when their thread takes a sideways turn is A-OK in my book!