Some professors in the U.S. are (finally) realizing what was evident since the beginning. Laptops and Wireless, for obvious reasons, are distracting students and constructing an "inappropriate" learning environment — now I am waiting for some brilliant psychologist demonstrating that multitasking reduces concentration, inhibits creativity, etc. David Cole, professor of law at Georgetown, in 2007 (a pioneer) banished laptops from his class. When he raised the idea of cutting off laptop access with his colleagues, some accused him of “being paternalistic, authoritarian or worse”. And, of course, these “masters” added: “We daydreamed and did crosswords when we were students, so how can we prohibit our students, who are adults after all, from using their time in class as they deem fit?”. Comparing a crossword to Google, Facebook, YouTube etc… How can anyone possibly make such a comparison? Furthermore, who is the genius of pedagogy who thought that students would benefit from wireless connection in class? You can read Cole’s articles in the Wahington Post, and check an interesting video showing professors frustration about laptops in class, some other reactions to the use of cell in class (usually breaking them in pieces or similar ) and another interesting experiment during April 1st 2008 that summarize lots of things, laptops, evaluation etc. I leave it up to the student’s sense of responsibility what to do with the laptop. I do, anyway, have a dream, a tiny but significant dream… May be one day a student — the average price for a private four-year university in the U.S. is around $28,000 (see this Report) — will tell to the colleague sitting next to him: “Could you please stop surfing the web, you are distracting me. I am not paying so much money to follow your Fakebook conversations”. Along with the freedom to surf the web — let’s put it this way — it exists also the freedom not to waste money and get a good education.
I think its about time someone addressed this topic! The very first thing that I have to say, isn't even about the students who use laptops, but the Universities that require them!
ReplyDeleteFlorida State University, where I graduated from, requires, and did require of me, to own a laptop and then prove that I did so. They wanted each and every student to have a laptop for class, and even made ethernet hookups and outlets accessable from our lecture hall seats, and all over campus. Therefore, my first response is that you cannot first create the deviant, and then punish him.
But furthermore, it angered me even then, simply because not every student has the means to purchase a laptop, epecially when in my personal opinion it is useless in the classroom to begin with.
But now to your point, which is that it creates an inappropriate learning environment. I completely agree. However, to a diferent degree. I believe that the professors are the ones who create that environment. Only students who don't want to be in class in the first place are the ones who will play on their computer instead of use it as a resource. Therefore, mandatory attendance is the true culprit. If laptops were not allowed in class, but those same student are required to be there, they will find other means of distraction, newspaper, crossword, cellphone etc. My opinion is that they shouldn't even be there. They take up seats, and distract the students who truly want to be there. And it always seems to be them, that hold this class up with, "who is this person, what does that mean, could you repeat yourself."
Therefore, I believe what i am trying to say is, yes laptops are and can be an annoyance, and distraction from the lesson but only because the professors or the University has made it so. Repeal mandatory attendance, and laptops will become a useful tool once again, and may perhaps even add benefits to the lecture.
Please Note: This opinion is meant strictly for Universities that require tuition. I feel that when being treated like a customer, the customer should be able to do with his product as he sees fit, een if that means not attending class. However, a free university like in Helsinki, mandatory attendance isn't too much to ask for a free, good education.
I hope my response made sense...