Lecture Etiquette 101
Erin Brennan | Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Op/Ed
Two weeks ago, I attended a lecture in Lumina Theatre by Jeanne Campbell Reesman, a celebrated expert on Jack London. During the lecture, however, I found it easier to focus on the boy in front of me who was on his laptop, cultivating his virtual farm on Facebook.
I was attempting to be attentive during lecture; it was an interesting topic, and the piece I was writing for the event was to be graded by my teacher. But it was hard to take detailed notes when it was easier to keep sneaking glances at my neighbors' text messages and eavesdrop on the whispering freshmen to my left.
We are all guilty of rude behavior during events- especially speakers. I also have texted during speeches, and in class. At this recent speaker, however, there were many students that would enter the event extremely late, and thereby cause a scene by searching for a seat and creating a general disturbance.
When teachers assign events for extra credit, many students will leave halfway through. This is after they have stayed long enough to gain significant information on the topic to write a brief overview or to receive a ticket stub to show in class. This behavior is completely uncalled for.
Speakers, such as Reesman, devote their time to creating these lectures and to stand in front of a group, which sometimes can consist of ungrateful college students, eager only to earn credit for a class. Sure, we are the distracted generation who cannot spend five minutes without checking a cellphone, fiddling with an iPod, or updating Twitter. Perhaps it is time for students to stop with the technology for a few minutes and just listen instead.
Do not text during speeches or whisper to your friends. Texting does not only occupy you, but the students sitting around you as well; it gives others the incentive to whip out their phones. As an exception, bringing a computer can be acceptable, only if used to take notes. But Facebooking and checking e-mails during an event is incredibly bad-mannered. I am not interested in chatty e-mails from mom; I am interested in listening to the speaker.
Also, do not bring food into events; I know you may be hungry, but when the girls in front of you are eating quesadillas from Hawk's Nest and making a huge mess, it is enormously distracting. Not to mention the smell is off-putting, and the sound of chewing is not exactly something I want to hear while listening about the history of photography.
And please, please do not leave early during such events. I know, it can sometimes get boring, and it can be tempting to leave, but it is aggravating to other students, who are still in attendance. I cannot imagine how it would feel for the speaker to watch hoards of students exiting the auditorium.
So in summary, please practice some consideration for those of us who actually want to listen during an event.
I was attempting to be attentive during lecture; it was an interesting topic, and the piece I was writing for the event was to be graded by my teacher. But it was hard to take detailed notes when it was easier to keep sneaking glances at my neighbors' text messages and eavesdrop on the whispering freshmen to my left.
We are all guilty of rude behavior during events- especially speakers. I also have texted during speeches, and in class. At this recent speaker, however, there were many students that would enter the event extremely late, and thereby cause a scene by searching for a seat and creating a general disturbance.
When teachers assign events for extra credit, many students will leave halfway through. This is after they have stayed long enough to gain significant information on the topic to write a brief overview or to receive a ticket stub to show in class. This behavior is completely uncalled for.
Speakers, such as Reesman, devote their time to creating these lectures and to stand in front of a group, which sometimes can consist of ungrateful college students, eager only to earn credit for a class. Sure, we are the distracted generation who cannot spend five minutes without checking a cellphone, fiddling with an iPod, or updating Twitter. Perhaps it is time for students to stop with the technology for a few minutes and just listen instead.
Do not text during speeches or whisper to your friends. Texting does not only occupy you, but the students sitting around you as well; it gives others the incentive to whip out their phones. As an exception, bringing a computer can be acceptable, only if used to take notes. But Facebooking and checking e-mails during an event is incredibly bad-mannered. I am not interested in chatty e-mails from mom; I am interested in listening to the speaker.
Also, do not bring food into events; I know you may be hungry, but when the girls in front of you are eating quesadillas from Hawk's Nest and making a huge mess, it is enormously distracting. Not to mention the smell is off-putting, and the sound of chewing is not exactly something I want to hear while listening about the history of photography.
And please, please do not leave early during such events. I know, it can sometimes get boring, and it can be tempting to leave, but it is aggravating to other students, who are still in attendance. I cannot imagine how it would feel for the speaker to watch hoards of students exiting the auditorium.
So in summary, please practice some consideration for those of us who actually want to listen during an event.
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