As the first week of the semester has already passed, most classes have reviewed their syllabi and class rules. For some students, those rules have included a ban on laptops that probably comes as a surprise.
At first glance, it seems to be a confusing message: In 2002, Virginia Tech added a requirement that all students own a laptop, and in 2006 the engineering department began to require tablet PC's. One would assume the requirement to have a portable computer would be for bringing them to class.
However, it is also important to note that in 2004, Facebook was founded. Of course, there are thousands of distractions both on and off the Internet besides Facebook. For faculty, though, banning laptops in their classrooms typically is an attempt to remove those distractions from interfering with objectives for class.
Here is where the issue becomes a debate. Faculty members believe that removing these distractions means students will pay attention to their lectures and learn more. For students, laptops may be used for taking notes and researching topics discussed in class, or for checking their Facebook and Twitter news feeds.
But are the issues that simple? Will simply banning distractions get more students to engage and learn?
I'm going to approach that question like a research question. First, some theory: Motivation theories essentially say that we don't do anything without a reason, whether it be an intrinsic reason, an extrinsic reason, an incentive or to avoid a punishment. Further, engaging in an action for intrinsic reasons or for incentives is much healthier, on a psychological level, than doing so for extrinsic reasons (e.g., money or grades) or to avoid punishment.
Now, some data: I interviewed a few of my past engineering students to see how they were using their tablets in their classes. Some said they leave their laptop at home because it is too distracting. Some said they bring their laptops but have no problem paying attention, and it is an indispensable tool to have. Many students in between said that it depends on the class and whether or not it was engaging. A few others said that they can easily be distracted by AIM, Facebook, etc., yet they still bring their laptops or are required to do so. As well, a few students said they can lose attention in class with or without their laptops. Also, some students noted that others' computers can distract them when sitting behind someone playing a game or similar.
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yup, punishing the masses for other peoples individual behavior. feels like i am back in the army and Private Pile just ate a jelly doughnut. the only way I could see a good reason behind this is if other people on AIM or whatever really distract people trying to learn. somebody should just bring up the fact they save paper by taking notes on their laptop and professors will cave. green trumps everything
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The professors should have the right to teach in whatever environment they choose. If they don't want you to have your laptops out, then learn how to use a pen. If professors are forced to allow laptops in class, then they should by no means be responsible for lost notes when a student's computer crashes.
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I welcome laptops in my Chemistry Class. I encourage my students to use OneNote (for a PC). For my Mac users, I supply pdf files. I ask that the students use their laptops for notetaking. Students that cause a disturbance (facebooking, aiming, gaming, etc.) are asked to leave.
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Thank you, Gary, we are glad to have some profs who respect this. Are your lectures/classes engaging though? The complaints students made in this article are largely focused around that. Adam, you throw the word "right" around far to liberally. Not to mention that I have never heard a story of a prof being held responsible for a student losing notes.
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Adam- Don't students also have the "right" to learn in whatever environment works best for them?
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Yes, I would have to agree that students have a right ro learn in the environment that best serves them. This concept of finding the learning patterns that best fit your needs as a student, was an important factor I was taught in my "Becoming A Successful Student" class at GWC last semester. Remembering what I was taught brings me to my next statement, for those who find learning easier through the use of computers should look into online college courses.
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Sarah, not really. You pay to learn from the professors as the professors see fit to teach. I applaud Gary for his approach to teaching. I am not saying we should ban laptops by any means. I am saying that the professors should be free to choose how the want to conduct their class. Students have the right to choose what college they want to attend, what classes they want to take, what to major in. The only thing that I am trying to say is that it should be professor's choice, and the students should deal with it accordingly.
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I agree to the point of the professors being able to make their own set rules for how they want their class to run. I am seeing that there is a whole lot of emphasis being put on laptops being a distraction for the students, but what about them being a distraction for the professors. There is no one at fault in this situation, it just is, and it needs to be resolved for the sake of education!
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Sometimes you need your laptop for extremely boring classes, like when you're a senior and you realized that you missed a core requirement.
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While it may be true that you have some control over your education (university, major, etc) each decision places restrictions on other choices you can make that are purely structural in nature. For example, attending VT prevents you from majoring in some outlandish major that a liberal arts college may have. Further, once you choose a major, many classes are already chosen for you and once you take a specific class, many only have a handful of professors teaching it. If there is only one professor then that's how that entire course is taught. Personally, I feel that students and faculty need to come to a middle ground. I agree that far too many students abuse their laptops in lectures, but at the same time it's not fair to punish everyone who uses theirs to further their education, myself included.
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Adam, I agree with Eric and add this thought: I don't like being a 'subordinate' in the classroom. How about the good teachers who actually discuss these issues with their students and negotiate on the rules? It's pretty empowering and when their is collective interest in and responsibility for the rules (e.g. no Facebook in class), they tend to be upheld. The same is true for the broader society, which isn't a surprise as these are all people we're talking about.
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Its the student's own responsibility to learn and pay attention in class. As long as a student is not being disruptive, he should be free to do whatever he wants in the class. Besides, isn't asking someone to leave more disruptive than someone quietly checking their facebook? Respect is earned, not something automatic.
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For the most part, college students are adults whether they want to admit it or not. With that in mind, if they want to bring a laptop to class its their decision. They are only wasting their own time and money if they choose to be on Facebook instead learning. If professors think it's disrespectful that students are playing on laptops, need to swallow their pride. Let's be real here. Laptops or not, students aren't going to listen if they don't want to. College students are not 5 years old. There's no need to treat them as such by banning laptops. Let each student deal with the ramifications of his or her choice.
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Well let's put it this way if you were driving on the road and you know the laws is it alright to break them or disrespect other civilians also on the road, nearly the same with laptops in classrooms you go to learn, not be on the internet if this is the case then why go to college stay at home
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