Lap Tops in Class Rooms
I am interested in knowing how the instructors monitor the use of lap tops in the classroom and what are some of the rules and guidelines that they have successfully implemented?
Hi Raana,
Great question and one almost every instructor struggles with. In my classes I allow the students to use them to take notes. Of course if they are wireless they can jump on the internet without me knowing it and do what ever they want.
In my teaching I use mini-lectures (10-15 minutes long)and then activities, small groups or lab work. By having the almost constant movement of students within the class and lab they don't really have much of a chance to let their fingers wander all over the internet. To date it has not been a problem in my classes. I think many of the issues revolving around computer use depends on the class you teach.
Looking forward to comments and suggestions from other participants.
Gary
I let students use laptops for note taking. To monitor this I walk around the classroom alot while lecturing and during discussions. I also make sure to let them know my policys on what they can and cant use their laptops for on the first day of class.
Hi Jared,
Sounds like you have a good plan working for you on maintaining class order and encouraging the learning of your students.
Gary
During speedbuilding dictation and test, students are asked to lower the lid on their laptops. From personal experience I know that it is a distraction for one's own self to write on their machine while the laptop is open.
Hi Adarine,
Thanks for another good strategy in student management. These types of suggestions help instructors to build their expertise level in handling different situations.
Gary
Jared,
I too let them use their laptops for note taking. I like your idea of making your policies known on the first day. I will remember to add that to my syllabus for next time, as more & more students bring their laptops to class.
Hi Cori,
Good points are made concerning the use of technology in the classroom, in this case laptops for note taking. Instructors have to be aware of how the classroom is changing and how to reflect those changes in their class requirements. Example- cell phone policies for classes and labs. Just a few years ago not an issue today a major point of contention if not handled appropriately.
Gary
NO LAPTOPS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM!
Amen Mike! That solves all the problems with lap tops in my class as well.
In our school they are not permitted unless that student has an IEP.
I do not allow them during lectures (they use IM or browse the web), when students are working on projects they need to sit so that I can see their screen at all times from my desk. Keeps them honest.
Thanks for your comment, Adarine. In two terms all our students will have laptops. Students will be using them to transcribe dictation in the classroom. Do you have any other advice for me?
I do not see anything wrong with student ussing laptops in the classroom as long as they do not try to connect to the local classroom lan.
Students should be allowed the use of laptops in the classroom under supervision of the instructor. If they are allowed to be unsupervised, then it does become a issue of distracting other students from classroom or lab activities. The use of pc based software is becoming more frequent in the auto industry so it should be good practice to encourage the use of this tool.
Hi Stephen,
You make a very good point about laptops. Nationally the use of laptops in classrooms is being debated by all post secondary institutions. Some are for it and others want to ban them. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.
Gary
I have found in the courses I teach that lap tops can be the biggest distraction in the classroom. They are few and far between and can create a "looky loo" problem. Also, we have an open book testing policy and that means that the student can refer to anything they have in their course guide including written notes. If a student uses a lap top to take notes, it is not allowed for testing. In my opinion, they student must have the maturity to use it properly like any other "tool" but know in the long run they can only used written notes.
I do not think the time has arrived for students to use laptops in the classroom - they distract other students, are often not used for the intended purpose (note-taking), and several clicking laptops at one time are annoying to students who require a quiet learning atmosphere. However, there should be a special place, i.e., a computer lab or room,in which students can use either their laptops or ones provided by the school.
I also do not allow laptops in my classes. There is much discussion in my classes and my tests are also open book since I am looking for opinions and creative thinking - the laptops are distracting and I do not have the time to monitor students are surfing the web.
