Engineering teacher says the iPad kids are in college now and don't know what to do in class still

Summary

An unnamed first-year engineering instructor describes a midterm designed to test students’ design judgment rather than their mathematics or physics knowledge. The instructor says the exam requirements and date had been communicated repeatedly in class, through course announcements and email, and via Canvas.

Despite these reminders, several students arrived hours late and asked what was happening. During the exam, the instructor noticed one student using a phone, wearing headphones, and apparently browsing social media. To avoid disrupting other students, the instructor chose not to confront him during the test and planned to deduct 10 points for phone use. The student left about an hour into the 1-hour-50-minute exam. When the instructor checked afterward, there was no submission.

The instructor presents the incident as an example of what they see as broader problems with student preparedness and attention. They criticize “No Child Left Behind” and suggest that students who grew up with tablets and experienced the pandemic are bringing these difficulties into college. These are the instructor’s opinions and generalizations, illustrated by the anecdote.

Speakers and Sources

• Unnamed first-year engineering instructor: Narrates the midterm incident and shares opinions about student preparedness, technology, and education.
• Course communications: In-class reminders, email announcements, and Canvas notifications, as described by the instructor.
• No Child Left Behind: Referenced by the instructor as a cause of educational problems; it is not a speaking source.