Professors & Laptops

[s____!]

How'd you do?

That's what I was wondering. We was both wondering.

 

[Uncle Remus]

That's what I was wondering. We was both wondering.

 

[scrapquitler]

Just curious where everyone stands on this and if it's a generational thing.

I'm currently taking a class where the professor is adamant that she does not want students using laptops in class for any purpose (including taking notes).

She probably has had experience in the past with students who were surfing the internet, watching YouTube or playing on Facebook during class rather than actually using the laptop to take notes.

I say, her classroom, her rules.

 

[emma'smom]

My dd's elementary school just ordered a new set of ipad2s and another local school uses iTouches. These kids are born into a world of technology-- it doesn't make sense not to teach kids to maximize these skills for educational purposes instead of just for entertainment.

That being said-- for my college students, I let them use lap tops--but I make clear that FBing and email are not acceptable. I also circulate around the room to make it less likely. The ideal situation would be to get that software where all of the screens are synced to the smart board (or my computer) so that I can see what they are doing.

On the other hand, if they want to pay tuition to play angry birds and not learn-- I guess that is their consumer right. It's also my right to grade accordingly.

Well that's interesting, since I've seen so many news shots and whatnot of elementary age school children all sitting in front of laptops during lectures...perhaps these have no internet access and only display information that the teacher wants them to see? I really don't know.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

I've had a couple of teachers not allow laptops in class, but I take notes by hand, so it doesn't bother me.

If I'm distracted by someone else on a laptop, it's usually my fault for not paying attention to the lecture. Although, there's a kid that sits in front of me in one of my classes that sits and watches movies during every class. If I'm paying attention and looking at the teacher, his laptop is always in my peripheral vision. Sometimes it can be distracting, especially if he's watching some sort of action movie (which he does most of the time) and there's a lot of movement and action on the screen. Still, it doesn't really bother me that I get distracted, but I do see how it could bother someone else.

I have had a teacher that allowed laptops but was very strict about people actually using them to take notes. It was a lecture class of about 130 people, and he had TA's sit at the back of the room during every class to monitor students and how they were using their computers. If they saw you not taking notes, they would walk up to you and politely ask you to stop playing games/facebook/whatever and start taking notes.

I've had classes in the past where attendance isn't required and people still come to class and only play on their laptops. If you're not even going to pay attention to the lecture, why even come to class? This was in a class where we were never given any in-class assignments, so if you missed class you only missed the lecture. But, if you spent the entire time playing games on your laptop, chances are you weren't even listening to the lecture at all... so why even waste time coming to class? But, that's a totally different issue. Ahh, college

 

[topolino]

I'm a senior at University at Buffalo and I've never had a prof that banned laptops. You can tell though, that some seem to be bothered by their use more than others. like I said though, none have been bothered enough to ban.

My own self-imposed rule is that if it's a huge lecture hall where you kind of blend in, I use mine. If it's a small class with only a handful of students, I usually don't. One of the reasons for this is that with small classes there is more of an expectation of student participation, so I don't want to be caught distracted.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

Wow really? I stand corrected!

At my high school we would be laughed at if we asked to use a laptop to take notes/whatever...there would be no wireless internet access in our schools.

My kids high school has wireless internet all throughout the school and many kids use laptops. It's quite common here. My daughter rarely takes her laptop to school though - only for specific projects. She does take her Nook every day though.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

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

ITA. It's completely childish. A university student does not need to have a laptop confiscated. No way would I put up with that. If the teacher doesn't want them in class, that's one thing, but they have absolutely no right to be taking them away from students.

 

[jrmasm]

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.

Thanks for the tip. Let me return the favor. Sometimes in life, you can't do what you want because someone else gets to make the rules. Learning to deal with that is a good skill to have.

 

[morethananyonex]

Forgot about this thread.

Thanks for the tip. Let me return the favor. Sometimes in life, you can't do what you want because someone else gets to make the rules. Learning to deal with that is a good skill to have.

I will say AGAIN, I am dealing with it just fine, I posted this thread for opinions not advice on how to get around the rules, as I'm well aware there is virtually nothing that can be done . Your post showed why I felt a rule like this hinders students in the long run, sorry you took offence.

 

[DrCavin]

I dislike the having to pay/do something to get it back. I respect that they don't like them being used in class. If someone keeps doing it, then take it or kick them out.

I really dislike what seems to be popular in grade/high schools, taking cell phones & making parents pay to get them back.

 

[jrmasm]

Forgot about this thread.



I will say AGAIN, I am dealing with it just fine, I posted this thread for opinions not advice on how to get around the rules, as I'm well aware there is virtually nothing that can be done . Your post showed why I felt a rule like this hinders students in the long run, sorry you took offence.

What the heck does that mean?

 

[morethananyonex]

What the heck does that mean?

Taking away the distractions is only going to cause students to have issues when they face the same distractions later in life, and you gave a perfect example, in a job interview.

Technology is only going to become more and more prominent as your example showed.

 

[jrmasm]

Taking away the distractions is only going to cause students to have issues when they face the same distractions later in life, and you gave a perfect example, in a job interview.

Technology is only going to become more and more prominent as your example showed.

I think that's a huge leap. You said the professor isn't in to technolgy. Doesn't sound like her ban has anything to do with sheltering students from distractions.

I said in my OP that I disliked the clicking noise. I was annoyed when I noticed it and then I ignored it because there was nothing I could do about it. I was distracted for a brief second and then I moved on. All that and I was never in a classroom with laptops. Amazing huh!

 

[Deb in IA]

It is the professor's class, and the professor gets to make the rules.

I'm sure the students have PLENTY of opportunities to deal with distraction outside of this class.

And I would hope that most students, by the time they are in college, have figured out to pay attention, without needing their classmates' laptops.

 

[Hoodie]

ITA. It's completely childish. A university student does not need to have a laptop confiscated. No way would I put up with that. If the teacher doesn't want them in class, that's one thing, but they have absolutely no right to be taking them away from students.

Isn't it childish of the student to use something the teacher banned? The professor stated she didn't want them in the classroom and that they would be confiscated if they are used. If the student then proceeds to try to use one, it's pretty childish AND disrespectful. If the student acts like a child, they should be treated as such.

 

[Hoodie]

It is the professor's class, and the professor gets to make the rules.

I'm sure the students have PLENTY of opportunities to deal with distraction outside of this class.

And I would hope that most students, by the time they are in college, have figured out to pay attention, without needing their classmates' laptops.

Sadly we're finding that isn't true.

I actually wish more profs would ban them from note taking. We hire analysts fresh from college. One of their jobs is to act as recording secretaries in some of our high level meetings. We do not have company issued laptops for any reason other than travel. The past couple of years, many of our analysts have had great difficulties taking any notes without a laptop. One decided to bring his personal laptop to take notes -which prompted a security violation and not so pleasant end to his brief career with us.

Honestly, confiscation and an essay is pretty small punishment compared to losing a job. Hoepfully the student will learn that when someone, whether a teacher, CEO or security officer, says something isn't allowed, it's actually NOT allowed.

 

[crashbb]

Isn't it childish of the student to use something the teacher banned? The professor stated she didn't want them in the classroom and that they would be confiscated if they are used. If the student then proceeds to try to use one, it's pretty childish AND disrespectful. If the student acts like a child, they should be treated as such.

I totally agree.

IF the prof. had confiscated the laptops with no warning (i.e. at the first lecture), I would agree with the PP. Otherwise, the students knew the rules and the consequences - no sympathy from me.