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?
This would drive me mad if you were in my class. As someone with ADD tendencies, it's all I can do to focus on the lecture. If I even caught your movements out of the corner of my eye, I would be distracted. No matter that it's silent. I'm the same with texting and other non class related stuff, for whatever that's worth.....
I am one who is super annoyed by anyone doing anything but paying attention in lecture. Sure it's hard to sit still and do nothing, but honestly you spend that time writing if you need to move your hands. People in college are most likely paying to be there just like you, so have some decency and let them get their money's worth also by limiting distractions. Sorry if I come off rude, but I feel that you can't just have a "who cares of it bothers anyone else" attitude in college. Also super disrespectful to the instructor.
It wouldnt annoy me personally, but It would definitely distract/annoy quite a few of my classmates. I understand that you have no ill meaning behind it, and the act of moving your hands helps you learn, but you also have to consider how OTHER people view it. Definitely bring it up to your instructor. Maybe something along the lines of "I need to keep my hands busy to absorb material and starting knitting in class. A fellow student mentioned you might find it rude and I hadn't thought of that. I just want you to know that I am paying attention and this is just a method that helps me retain information" or something like that, and see what they say. If the instructor is fine with it then keep doing it. HOWEVER, because some would find this distracting or rude, it would be best if you sat at the back of the class, or the end of a row where less students will be able to see what is happening. If enough students complain, you will for sure be asked to stop.
In my last semester, the instructor told us a story of how one of the students in her previous class was hyperactive to the point they could not concentrate for more than a minute without figeting or messing with things or rocking. With instructor approval, the student moved to a seat in the back of the class, would record lecture, and would stand. Even more interesting was that they were a gymnast, so they would be doing handstands and splits and such during lecture. BUT, the student was out of eyesight from the majority of the class, and mostly just stood and marched in place, but when they would do the handstands or whatever, other students would be distracted by it. I can say though, that our lecture hall is shaped in a way that this was possible. I have seen some classrooms that this would be very distracting to the majority of the class.
Your need for hand movement, cant be distracting to other students because it is not fair to them. Maybe try a stress ball, or doodling out things being explained or something if the instructor says not to do this anymore or if too many students complain.
It would not bother me and I've been in many classrooms where there are knitters. Especially if it helps you concentrate. If this helps you focus, then that's that.
Maybe run it by your school's counselor if you have one and explain your concentration issues and the non-pharmacological alternative that works for you.
I am also surprised that so many would find knitting rude! Ever heard a good knitter? Exactly. Good knitters are not heard
Honestly, if a student does not give me their undivided attention and decided to knit during class, I would make sure the rest of the professors in the program are aware of your enthusiasm for my class. That is not a student who is interested in learning, in my opinion, since things like head nodding or eye contact are considered good body language that conveys enthusiasm....not looking down at your knitting. I would definitely not write them a letter of recommendation or recommend them for any award in the program etc.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I am a knitter, too. I think it would be distracting but not only from the clicking. It's the hand motions that people will notice even if you practice discreet knitting.
I have noticed that when I knit around other people, they are curious about it so I would assume you will draw at least a little attention from fellow students based on that.
I do think perhaps if you sit behind your classmates it might work, but only if everyone else, including your professor is OK with it.
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.
We have a knitter and she has never made a sound that you all are talking about. She is always working on some small project....But she also studies and takes notes and records lectures .Hey what ever works!
While you may think it's a silent hobby, I've been around friends and family who knit. There is often a barely perceptible clicking sound that comes with knitting. Most people will probably never hear it. However, this would drive me crazy.
LOL, I guess that as a person who crochets, DOESN'T knit, I didn't think of this! Crochet=one hook, so no clicking at all :)
As for the pens, gum, etc.....if you figure out how to get people to stop that, let me know, I want in on the secret cure!
The clicking depends on what type of needles you're using. Bamboo and plastic make no clicking noise, the steel needles do. Knitting with quiet needles wouldn't bother me, but I do think that you should ask the instructor about it first. We've had a few knitters in our program. I am of the camp that whatever helps you...as long as it doesn't hinder other learners
I've read all the replies since my last one, and it made me think of yet something else: For those classes where eating is allowed, but YOU find it distracting, do you complain to the person eating, or the professor? What about the gum-chewer? The pen-clicker? What about the person who sits with her legs crossed at the knee, and BOUNCES that foot up and down to the point where you can't see anything BUT that hyperkinetic leg popping into the air constantly for a half hour?
THOSE things DO bother me....but I know it's MY problem, not the person doing it. I can't very well tell the person who is popping her foot/leg up and down the entire lecture to stop it because I find it distracting. And the topic of EATING in class is a heated one, too: some people say a quiet snack is fine, some say not at all. If the instructor is fine with the quiet eater (but you're not) why do you think the eater should stop eating? In other words, since (based on past similar topics having been discussed) the overall attitude is "MYOB", how is this different?
LOL, I guess that as a person who crochets, DOESN'T knit, I didn't think of this! Crochet=one hook, so no clicking at all :)
As for the pens, gum, etc.....if you figure out how to get people to stop that, let me know, I want in on the secret cure!
Believe it or not, I have asked people to stop. Politely, I might add, because I'm aware it's often an unconscious habit. But it's beyond distracting to me!
sandytoes
59 Posts
This would drive me mad if you were in my class. As someone with ADD tendencies, it's all I can do to focus on the lecture. If I even caught your movements out of the corner of my eye, I would be distracted. No matter that it's silent. I'm the same with texting and other non class related stuff, for whatever that's worth.....