Laptop use in class?

Do you allow students to use laptops in your face to face classes? No matter how you answer that question, you are probably not alone. This is a divisive subject which is frequently discussed among instructors. An anecdotal study of the affect of laptop use on classroom performance has recently been discussed in the news. Professor Diane Sieber tracked the academic performance of 17 students who used laptops regularly in one of her classes (presumably for non-class related activities). She found that their average first exam score was 11% lower than for those students who did not use laptops in class. She informed the class of this phenomenon, and several students chose to stop using laptops in class; their exam grade subsequently improved.  (You can listen to an interview with Professor Sieber here: Saturday March 28, CU Professor fights “Digital Distraction; and read a Chronicle of Higher Education blog post and comments on the subject here).

The comments on the blog page are perhaps the most interesting aspect of this story, and show the divided opinions on whether or not laptops should be allowed in the classroom.

Here are some comments that highlight different areas of the debate:

• “It might be interesting to create a laptop zone and see how the students respond—One side of the room for laptop users and the other side of the room for people who don’t want to be distracted.” (Shar, Comment 2)         

   

• “I’ve had a no-laptops policy in my … classes for about two years due to the abuses and discourtesies noted in the above article, and many other examples. I’ve surveyed students at the end of the semester to find out what they thought of the policy. I was surprised (and gratified) to find out that about two-thirds liked the policy and thought it was a good idea. Very few were strongly opposed.” (David S., Comment 9)           

   

• “As a “millennnial” myself, I understand that a fair number of my students are more skilled at typing notes than at hand-writing them and are more comfortable (and more efficient) searching through a pdf than flipping pages. I also find the diminished paper waste appealing.” (Don, Comment 10)            

   

• “Seems to me at least part of the problem is that many faculty have no clue how to use the computer effectively themselves and appear to be trying to preserve the style and form of teaching common when THEY were students. Model the behavior you want to see in your students.” (Nirtak, Comment 18)            

   

• “Between Facebook, texting and even romance paperbacks, in-class students have more distractions than ever and are increasingly brazen in using these articles. I believe this is to their own detriment. I have decided to accept this reality as an opportunity to improve my own instruction. If my lectures and activities can be more engaging than the entire Internet, everybody benefits.” (Robby Slaughter, Comment 22)          

   

• “I personally think that the ADA is going to come into play at some point. I for one was TOTALLY distracted by having to try to hand write notes. It was way to slow a process to allow me to keep up. When I started typing or recording my notes I was suddenly able to become fully engaged in classes. This made a huge difference for me, and those who cannot recognize the benefit of technology in this kind of scenario are blind.” (Tim, Comment 23)          

   

• “Out of all the personal technologies available to students today, I earnestly believe the laptop is one that has the ability to enrich the classroom experience as well as detract from it.” (live_your_passions, Comment 26)
  

• “Classes that are heavily content-based and involve repeated problem-solving will likely find laptop use more promising than humanities professors trying to foster small-group discussion on matters that require critical thinking and abstract logic. … Active participation and face-to-face discussion are non-negotiable aspects in the courses I teach, and I have enforced a laptop ban for the past few years with no complaints from students. Sorry if that sounds Luddite, but the computer has not made conversation obsolete.” (Max, Comment 38)           

• “These are college students, not grade school students. If they want to surf the Web rather participate in the lecture, I say, “Let ‘em.” My job is to lecture to those who wish to learn, not treat my students like little children who need reminding to pay attention.” (Dee, Comment 40)           

• “Is it laptop use or surfing the internet that is the problem? … Students need to know how to use the laptop. Just like paper and pencil. Paper and pencil can be used to take notes or it can be used to doodle. One is productive the other is not.” (Bill, Comment 46)           

• “When students are connected to a wireless network via laptop, an incredible opportunity emerges for lessons to be more well-rounded and in-depth. Encourage students to access a course wiki during class to supplement the lecture they are listening to. Perform a real time online survey to gauge understanding. Allow students to submit questions and comments to shape the focus of a lecture. The possibilities are endless. The goal is the same: If technology is used correctly, students will become more engaged. Plug yourself in and see what your students are seeing.” (Aaron Hawkey, Comment 62)
  

What do you think? What would you allow in your courses?
 

– Gail E. Krovitz, Ph.D. –
Senior Academic Trainer & Consultant