Your professor’s voice settles into a droning monotone pitch and somehow the lecture doesn’t hold you riveted. What else are you going to do but start doodling stick figures complete with swords, bandanas and the caption: “NINJA ATTACK!”

This is Paul Rowe and Chris Kienzle’s idea of a class well spent. The two Maryland sophomores are founders of drawinginclass.com, proving the time-honored tradition of doodling remains prevalent in lecture halls everywhere.

Rowe and Kienzle had both been long-time doodlers when they came up with the idea for the site. Even as they explain its creation, Rowe is doodling on his arm.

After posting drawings on Facebook, they launched drawinginclass.com on Nov. 2. The site lets students contribute their doodles from class, which are posted after approval from the founders. They have not turned many submissions away, but “there should be some interest behind it” said Rowe.

Doodles have already been contributed from several universities. Though they want to stay true to the theme of “doodles in class,” the site accepts many mediums and places very few restrictions on submissions.

Already they are planning to move beyond their current Blogger to a new site, which they hope will contain categories like “Classics” and a “Like” button.

“It’s not as big as I want it to be,” Rowe said.

Unlike bumper sticker perusing on Facebook or texting during class, doodling is a creative activity that is debatably a constructive outlet for students.

“Research shows that during conferences, long meetings, etc., doodling is valuable. It frees the professional’s mind to create new connections and insights,” said literature professor Liora Moriel via email. Yet she also acknowledged doodling can distract students from receiving important information and may signal “their minds are not very engaged.”

At the very least,“it’s an awesome way to waste a bit of time,” Rowe said.

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