Some Professors Kick Laptops Out of the Classroom: The Pros & Cons of Bringing a Laptop to College
Posted 06 Aug, 2008
Before you head off to buy your student a new computer for college, you might want check the laptop policy on campus! Some professors, especially in graduate programs like business and law schools, have banned laptops from the classroom entirely says a recent article from the Chronicle. These faculty members felt the machines were detracting from their classroom environment-they were just too distracting!
Nevertheless, over the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of laptops in the classroom. At many colleges and universities it is commonplace for a professor to lecture to a sea of typing-and-clicking students-but is this really the best option for classroom productivity?
The Cons
- Internet distractions. With email, shopping, games, and chat all at their fingertips, students have lots of temptation to get sidetracked during class.
- Rote note-taking. True, typing can be faster than writing by hand, but it is also much more automatic. Students taking notes on laptop tend to copy down the lecture word for word rather than processing it for key words and phrases that will really help them learn the material.
- Less connection with professor. The combination of the two items above tends to also mean the student may not make as good of a connection to the professor’s thought process. Often professors give hints-either by repetition or emphasis-about what information will be on the test. Being distracted during class can deprive students of this key information!
The Pros
- Fingertip access to resources. Confusion about a class discussion can be wiped away quickly with a simple Google search for a clearer diagram or helpful essay.
- Portable study system. Rather than lugging four different notebooks around, students can now rely on their laptops to review notes between classes and work on homework.
- Communication hotspot. Laptops also mean anytime access to classroom forums for homework help, and ease in contacting professors and TAs via email no matter where your student is.
The Decision
Talk to your student about the pros and cons of having a laptop. I’m sure you’ll be able to add to the above list once you weigh both sides outside the classroom; for example, the possibility of theft and the fact that they tend to have less power than a desktop. Desktops tend to be less expensive and easier to upgrade as well, but are they practical in an increasingly wireless environment?
It’s best if you and your student make this decision together! Discuss how your student will use his or her computer according to the school environment, your student’s courses and major, and how the computer will be used for extracurricular purposes. After you’ve figured all this out - shop for a deal! (Try www.shopper.com .)
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding®, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs
photo: working with laptop 2 by len-k-a
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Before you head off to buy your student a new computer for college, you might want check the laptop policy on campus! Some professors, especially in graduate programs like business and law schools, have banned laptops from the classroom entirely says a recent article from the Chronicle. These faculty members felt the machines were detracting from their classroom environment-they were just too distracting!
Nevertheless, over the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of laptops in the classroom. At many colleges and universities it is commonplace for a professor to lecture to a sea of typing-and-clicking students-but is this really the best option for classroom productivity?
The Cons
- Internet distractions. With email, shopping, games, and chat all at their fingertips, students have lots of temptation to get sidetracked during class.
- Rote note-taking. True, typing can be faster than writing by hand, but it is also much more automatic. Students taking notes on laptop tend to copy down the lecture word for word rather than processing it for key words and phrases that will really help them learn the material.
- Less connection with professor. The combination of the two items above tends to also mean the student may not make as good of a connection to the professor’s thought process. Often professors give hints-either by repetition or emphasis-about what information will be on the test. Being distracted during class can deprive students of this key information!
The Pros
- Fingertip access to resources. Confusion about a class discussion can be wiped away quickly with a simple Google search for a clearer diagram or helpful essay.
- Portable study system. Rather than lugging four different notebooks around, students can now rely on their laptops to review notes between classes and work on homework.
- Communication hotspot. Laptops also mean anytime access to classroom forums for homework help, and ease in contacting professors and TAs via email no matter where your student is.
The Decision
Talk to your student about the pros and cons of having a laptop. I’m sure you’ll be able to add to the above list once you weigh both sides outside the classroom; for example, the possibility of theft and the fact that they tend to have less power than a desktop. Desktops tend to be less expensive and easier to upgrade as well, but are they practical in an increasingly wireless environment?
It’s best if you and your student make this decision together! Discuss how your student will use his or her computer according to the school environment, your student’s courses and major, and how the computer will be used for extracurricular purposes. After you’ve figured all this out - shop for a deal! (Try www.shopper.com .)
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding®, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs
photo: working with laptop 2 by len-k-a
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Subscribe by Email
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