Professors & Laptops

[mrodgers]

I'm old. Laptops didn't exist when I was in college. The other day I sat in a meeting with two men that typed away on their laptops the whole time. For me, the clicking was incredibly annoying.

This is what I was thinking.

tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick

The whole time all around while I am trying to pay attention to class? That would drive me absolutely insane.

I had a very difficult time at an internal interview with my current boss for another position because of the HR witch needing to sit in on it and tickticktick all over her laptop the whole time. I'm tempted next time a position comes up that I want to interview for to ask that the HR witch not attend or else cancel the interview. She was that annoying.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Professor's class, professor's rules. I suggest finding a way to cope.

If there is a medical or other need to utilize a laptop because you have a documented reason that you are unable to take notes with pencil and paper, then the university would have to accommodate you.

Convenience or boredom is not a good reason.

However, "back in my day" when there were no laptops (well, cheap ones anyway), were were free (with the professors permission) to record the lecture to help with organizing our notes when we study. So if you had a professor who spoke fast, but you could not keep up--this was an option.

I have no idea what current rules are. But when I attended, there were computer labs with printers because many students did not own a computer. My first computer was via borrowing my boyfriend's pc which he later "gave" me when he upgraded his once he graduated and got a job. My first 2 years were spent in computer labs for classes requiring a document created on computer.

So just because technology is more portable, doesn't mean that a professor has to let you bring it to class if he/she feels it is a distraction to the class. Perhaps he wishes to maintain a respectful atmosphere and wants to teach to faces and not the backs of a laptop.

 

[morethananyonex]

This is what I was thinking.

tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick
tickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktickticktick

The whole time all around while I am trying to pay attention to class? That would drive me absolutely insane.

I had a very difficult time at an internal interview with my current boss for another position because of the HR witch needing to sit in on it and tickticktick all over her laptop the whole time. I'm tempted next time a position comes up that I want to interview for to ask that the HR witch not attend or else cancel the interview. She was that annoying.

Perfect example of why banning all distractions hinders students instead of helps them. Learning to work with distractions is a good skill to have, they exist in the real world all the time.

 

[Goofyluver]

We used a pen and paper. Life was rough and full of hand cramps.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I allow my students to use laptops in class as long the sound is off so there is no disruption to other classmates. I ask them to be respectful and use it to take notes only, but I don't check up on them. It is their choice to pay attention or not.

On my syllabus contract, which they sign at the beginning of the term, it says that all cell phones must be shut off and put in a bag at the beginning of class. I have had students ask permission to keep it on their desk or on vibrate for personal reasons and I always say yes.

If it goes off in class, they are embarrassed enough for the disruption. I don't need to do it for them.

 

[morethananyonex]

Professor's class, professor's rules. I suggest finding a way to cope.

If there is a medical or other need to utilize a laptop because you have a documented reason that you are unable to take notes with pencil and paper, then the university would have to accommodate you.

Convenience or boredom is not a good reason.

However, "back in my day" when there were no laptops (well, cheap ones anyway), were were free (with the professors permission) to record the lecture to help with organizing our notes when we study. So if you had a professor who spoke fast, but you could not keep up--this was an option.

I have no idea what current rules are. But when I attended, there were computer labs with printers because many students did not own a computer. My first computer was via borrowing my boyfriend's pc which he later "gave" me when he upgraded his once he graduated and got a job. My first 2 years were spent in computer labs for classes requiring a document created on computer.

So just because technology is more portable, doesn't mean that a professor has to let you bring it to class if he/she feels it is a distraction to the class. Perhaps he wishes to maintain a respectful atmosphere and wants to teach to faces and not the backs of a laptop.

I've already said this isn't an issue for me personally, as I stopped taking notes on my laptop before this class started.

Times change things, and the accesibility to laptops has increased greatly since "your day" as you put it . Laptops speed up most people's ability to take notes, I don't think there's any argument there, so why would we ban them simply because they didn't used to be there?

And teaching to the backs of a laptop is not a issue at all, they would be sitting at mid-stomach for most students (those wonderful teeny tiny fold down desks).

I really do think a large part of this is a generational thing, as you see laptops creating a disrespectful atmosphere, whereas most students today would see a laptop filled classroom as entirely normal.

I allow my students to use laptops in class as long the sound is off so there is no disruption to other classmates. I ask them to be respectful and use it to take notes only, but I don't check up on them. It is their choice to pay attention or not.

On my syllabus contract, which they sign at the beginning of the term, it says that all cell phones must be shut off and put in a bag at the beginning of class. I have had students ask permission to keep it on their desk or on vibrate for personal reasons and I always say yes.

If it goes off in class, they are embarrassed enough for the disruption. I don't need to do it for them.

And this is how it should be.

University level students should not be babysat, if they don't want to pay attention they will be distracted by their own thoughts before they pay full attention to the lecture.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Perfect example of why banning all distractions hinders students instead of helps them. Learning to work with distractions is a good skill to have, they exist in the real world all the time.

In this case, the professor has decided that in his/her real world, he won't tolerate it and thus can ban it. The clicking may annoy him--or maybe too many students abused the privilege and were not paying attention in class and it affected grades negatively thereby contradicting the helpful nature of said laptop.

Again--your inconvenience does not equate to "wrong of the professor".

That is timeless. Just like being on time to class if the professor requires it.

I think having a laptop in class is a cool thing to have and I would love to have it. But then again, I wouldn't behave as though I were entitled to it.

But now they are giving iPads to Kindergartners now--so I suppose your professor should just suck it up, right?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

.

University level students should not be babysat, if they don't want to pay attention they will be distracted by their own thoughts before they pay full attention to the lecture.

This is becoming the common response from people who don't like the professors rules.

It's like a pre-teen arguing that they are a grown up while behaving like a toddler.

By the way, laptops aren't quiet. My husband will be the first to tell you---and he does NOT distract easily. At least I type fast.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

I only had two professors who didn't like laptops being used in class- the first would let you use them, but would occasionally stroll around the classroom and peek at them to see that you were taking notes, and not on facebook.

the second professor made you sign a contract saying you needed your laptop for learning- it stated that you would only use it to take notes. If you signed the contract then broke it, he could remove you from the course for the rest of the semester. Only a few kids signed it, and I don't think any of them were removed.

 

[morethananyonex]

In this case, the professor has decided that in his/her real world, he won't tolerate it and thus can ban it. The clicking may annoy him--or maybe too many students abused the privilege and were not paying attention in class and it affected grades negatively thereby contradicting the helpful nature of said laptop.

Again--your inconvenience does not equate to "wrong of the professor".

That is timeless. Just like being on time to class if the professor requires it.

I think having a laptop in class is a cool thing to have and I would love to have it. But then again, I wouldn't behave as though I were entitled to it.

But now they are giving iPads to Kindergartners now--so I suppose your professor should just suck it up, right?

This is becoming the common response from people who don't like the professors rules.

It's like a pre-teen arguing that they are a grown up while behaving like a toddler.

By the way, laptops aren't quiet. My husband will be the first to tell you---and he does NOT distract easily. At least I type fast.

What? I've said multiple times this isn't an issue for me at all, as I was never planning on even bringing my laptop to this class, let alone using it to take notes. I'm not being inconvenienced at all in this situation, I just think the professor is being way over the top and treating adults like children here.

Being on time to class is IMO not comparable to this at all. I think a better example would be students silently writing notes to each other during class (certain students distracted from snooping) and therefore the professor bans paper and only allows recorders.

Once again, bringing up something that has nothing to do with the issue at hand, iPads to kindergarden students is vastly different from university students using laptops.

Professors can make all the rules they want and I will respect them, I do take issue with other students whining about the distractions they create in class. Grow up, distractions are all around you and they won't go away when you complain about them. Deal with it.

FYI I asked opinions about the rules not advice on how to break them. I understand that professors basically have free reign to do as they please, however as someone else said confiscating laptops seemed very immature to me which is why I posted this in the first place.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What? I've said multiple times this isn't an issue for me at all, as I was never planning on even bringing my laptop to this class, let alone using it to take notes. I'm not being inconvenienced at all in this situation, I just think the professor is being way over the top and treating adults like children here.

Being on time to class is IMO not comparable to this at all. I think a better example would be students silently writing notes to each other during class (certain students distracted from snooping) and therefore the professor bans paper and only allows recorders.

Once again, bringing up something that has nothing to do with the issue at hand, iPads to kindergarden students is vastly different from university students using laptops.

Professors can make all the rules they want and I will respect them, I do take issue with other students whining about the distractions they create in class. Grow up, distractions are all around you and they won't go away when you complain about them. Deal with it.

FYI I asked opinions about the rules not advice on how to break them. I understand that professors basically have free reign to do as they please, however as someone else said confiscating laptops seemed very immature to me which is why I posted this in the first place.

I only mentioned the tardiness since that was a recent, "Can the professor do this?" thread and "technology is great for learning" threads regarding i-technology and kids.

If it doesn't affect you, I don't understand the concern nor the animosity to tell others to deal with it when "you" or whomever cannot deal with taking notes the old way for the professor or two who doesn't want the laptop.

Inferring that someone should "grow up"--isn't really respecting them, since the professor is the one who makes the rule. Did it occur to you the professor is distracted? Are you suggesting they should suck it up and deal with distractions? Because that isn't respectful.

I was not offering advice on how to break the rules. I simply stated in different words to suck it up and deal...the very same advice you expect other folks to follow to support your position.


And in case you missed my earlier statement--I would prefer to use a laptop. But I wouldn't get upset because I felt entitled to the privilege in a class that didn't allow it (as some students seem in your scenario).

 

[disneygirl_wdw]

My husband, when in college, was one of those students that needed his laptop during class. His handwriting is horrible. He couldn't read his own notes. He's had 1st graders critique it. He also had a few teachers that would not allow laptops during class. Most times he just had to turn in one handwritten assignment for them to agree to let him have it. He would always just take notes and he was super fast at typing so he could keep up. I think if he had the op's teacher he would have dropped the class by now.

 

[stasijane]

I had a class like that last year. It was a college English class. The one class that had alot of notes and writing and we wasnt allowed to have laptops.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I had a class like that last year. It was a college English class. The one class that had alot of notes and writing and we wasnt allowed to have laptops.

How'd you do?

 

[MichelleVW]

Absolutely no electronics allowed of any kind in grade/high schools...pretty sure that's relatively standard everywhere.

Lol, they gave each student at my DD's high school at macbook and they get in trouble if they don't have them with them and fully charged in class. Times, they are a changin!

I look at it as when one gets to college if one does not want to learn so be it, that is the individuals issue.

For a professor to take away a laptop and then make the student write an essay is childish and belongs in high school not in college.

I understand the whole Prof's classroom Prof's rules but the University my DS attends has made us keep up with technology not tried to stop it.

Cell phones that ring/buzz or whatever sound they make is just rude and I have no issue with a professor "banning" them or demanding they be on silent. However, college is not high school and IMO a Professor should not dictate what tools a student can use when they are a commonly accepted tool on the campus.

I can't imagine a college professor taking a lap top and making a student write an essay, that is totally high school!

 

[Val]

I allow laptops, as long as they are silenced. I do ban cell phones, and allow neither cell phones or laptops during tests. That being said, in my large lecture classes I am well aware of students playing angry birds or surfing the net during lecture. I teach neuroscience......and these end up being the same students who miss class or are late. These are also the same students who complain vehemently about the grade I GAVE them. As stated in my syllabus, I don't GIVE grades, you EARN them. If you choose to play around on your computer instead of taking notes, skip class, come late, or sleep through class, it is NOT my problem. And neither is your poor grade.

I actually received an email from a student this semester claiming that the study guide I hand out a week before a test was unfair. It had MORE terms than I actually tested on. I explained the concept of sampling, that if I tested on EVERY term the test would be several hours long. I asked her if she would want me just to tell her what was on the test, so she would JUST study those terms, and not all the information taught..... her response was "I have a busy social life, I don't have time to mess around learning unnecessary things, so yes!".........and she wants to go to medical school. Would YOU want this individual to be YOUR doctor?

BTW, she got a D in the class. I did not GIVE her the D, she earned it. And yes, when she did come to class she played on her laptop in the front row!

College is not just fun and games....it is supposed to be where you learn, and sometimes you have to work really hard to learn it. A lot like real life. I have to get up and go to work when I don't feel like it, I can't wear my pj's to class, and I have to attend really boring meetings and work with people on committees who don't always pull their own weight. I have to engage in dull, mundane and what I think are idiotic tasks each day....but it is part of my JOB. I don't get PAID if I don't do it. And I learned many of the skills for this job in college. College was hard....like real life.

And yes, I just finished posting grades. Not 10 minutes went by before the tearful emails and pleas for a higher grade started (e.g., can I do my extra credit now, after the class is over, even though I had all semester to do it! I might flunk out if I can't get an (insert your grade here).....like the grade in my one class will give them a failing GPA). I am now going to go into hiding. Unlike the Navy Seals, I doubt many of my students can find me. And typically, the ones that do are the A students who earned my respect and praise!

Enough....it has been a LONG semester!

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I had several teachers who had a no laptop policy. The only way for a student to be allowed to use a laptop is if he or she had a note from the disabled student services. However, most of these teachers were willing to compromise with students who expressed an undocumented need. I don't really see the big deal

 

[MoonFaerie]

1/2 of my profs this semester didn't allow computers and half did. The only one that bugged me was my African Studies class. OMG, the sheer amount of notes was nuts! I was so busy frantically writing that she could have started stripping, and I wouldn't have noticed. The annoying part about her firm no laptops rule was that every single assignment was online - quizzes were done with turning response clickers, tests were online thru blackboard in the computer lab, our paper was submitted on bb and no hard copy was needed, our group project was a video we submitted on bb, etc. If she gets to use the technology to make it easier for her, why can't we?

 

[MoonFaerie]

Isn't that your fault you watched someone on FB for that long? You could have been just as distracted because of something someone was typing into Word. I think personal responsibility has to come in somewhere, and penalizing everyone for a few who would get distracted isn't the way to go IMO.

IMO being able to tune out small distractions around you is a good skill to have in life, period.

I agree. I have some sensory issues, and while it's mostly not an issue, I have a hard time tuning out background noise sometimes. I just make sure I get a seat in the front of the class, so those distractions are minimized. I'm an adult, and it's my responsibility to make sure I do what I need to if I want to succeed.

 

[Pigeon]

I can totally understand where the professor is coming from, having watched too many students sit with their laptops, playing games, messaging their friends and generally goofing off. It's also distracting to those around them.