A few weeks ago, I launched a survey asking SOU faculty about the student use of laptop computers in class. SurveyMonkey collected responses from fifty-four responders. Here are the summary results.
Do you allow students to use laptop/notebook computers in class?
Yes 82% No 18%
From six departments, there were zero “No” answers from Biology, CCJ, HPEL, HPS, SSPC, and Theatre. Art had the greatest proportion of “No” answers (2/3), followed by CPME (1/2), ES (1/3) Lang/Lit/Forgn (2/6, both in English), and Psych (1/3).
If you allow laptop/notebook computer use in class, do you have specific policies regarding that use?
Yes 24% No 61% No Answer 15%.
23 out of 54 respondents reported they had specific policies regarding laptop/notebook use.
In addition to these yes or no questions, the survey instrument collected comment responses. Regarding the question, “Do you allow students to use laptop/notebook computers in class?,” here are the responses (each paragraph is a single comment).
It has just happened, with a vengeance, particularly during the current academic year. While it appears most students are using them for appropriate objects (taking notes, etc.), it recently occured to me that I have no idea what a few students may be doing on them.
To view powerpoint or online materials. ONly classroom materials can be used in class no email, facebook etc.
Most students still prefer to take notes on paper and print handouts or other support materials to bring to class. However, this trend is changing and I have a few who choose to take notes and bring their materials electronically. To date, I have not had problems with them misusing this privilege, though another faculty member had a significant issue.
When class time is structured so that student activity is “note-taking” or otherwise not directly engaged in dialogue, then use of computer is student prerogative . . . . and not attending class is also a prerogative, though that is not in their best interest, and the same could be said of those who daydream or surf the web or leave in the middle of a lecture. I would maintain that the choice is theirs.
To take notes
I have allowed students to use their laptops because I think that it is an effective way for students to take notes. In addition, I have posted some articles on Blackboard, and some of the students, instead of printing the articles choose to read them off their laptop. Mon, Feb 8, 2010 11:36 AM Find…
It seems to make notetaking more efficient. Students appreciate being able to use their laptops. Less copying needed by me.
for note taking
90% of my class time involves discussion. They understand that their weekly grade is dependant upon their participation. I explained that I personally listen better while doing something else, however if they do not fall into that category, the should reconsider using their laptop. I am quick to call upon people that don’t look like they are paying attention.
They are not a part of class. I ask people to close them up and put them away.
I see no reason to not allow it.
Students who use laptops often have more complete and more useful notes than those who do not. Students may also use lap tops to look up pertinent facts during class discussions; I find this helps keep discussion on track by avoiding “Yes it is;no it isn’t” sorts of arguments, and can also lead to discussion of the reliability of different information sources and of the interpretation of the written word.
Take notes if they want
Notetaking.
Students probably take notes on their computer.
I see this as an alternative way to take notes
I rarely have people doing this though.I try to interact with the class, not take notes. Plus they are a distraction and some simply check emails, etc.
MANY TAKE NOTES ON THE LAPTOPS…. FOR MANY, JUST EASIER THAN TRYING TO WRITE.
Why not? To take notes, look up information.
For some, that is how they take notes.
We do a lot of work on Blackboard. The students can take notes in the “notes” section of PPt slides. Also, it’s great when we want to find out more about something, and a student can Google it up right then and there.
Yes, because there is no policy I can point to.
I’d love to think they were taking notes, jumping onto wiki to follow up, etc. But I know they are probably on Facebook.
frequently students are surfing the internet in class
Alternate note taking style; allows students to check lecture information against other sources on the fly. Sometimes useful during discussions when a student wants to make a point and needs to check a source. Can be used as a calculator.
Allows them to take notes, research topics related to lecture in real time which can lead to good classroom discussion
I posted powerpoints and lecture outlines to Bb. Some students download the documents and add notes to them electronically. I’m trying to use my netbook more often instead of constantly printing off hard copies. Many students are making the shift to taking notes on the computer so I don’t feel I should prevent it. Some opt to serve the web, etc. I can’t control that but wish I could. I’ve heard some institutions don’t have wireless in classrooms.
Too hard to type chemistry notes – formulas and structures. My experience is if they are on their laptop in class, they aren’t doing chemistry!
Students are more used to taking notes by keyboard than in longhand. It also allows them a research method during class to add to the discussion.
I keep them busy enough that they don’t have much time to surf.
I do not say they can not use them during lecture to do their class notes. However, most of my students do not use them in class and take notes the standard way. Also, some of my classes are discussion based so they need to actively participate rather than be word-processing. There is not a for them during laboratories (and it is sometimes unsafe due to materials used in lab), although occasionally I have had non-traditional students use them to pull up information and images of organisms we are looking at in Invertebrate Zoology.
I’m not a professor
Not sure they are really “taking notes’ and paying attention in class. Some students in the past have been discovered sending emails, etc.
I often have lecture outlines on Blackboard and students use their laptops to take notes directly into the outlines. Even if I don’t have outlines on line, many students just prefer to take notes with their computers. Occasionally in upper division classes a student has been able to quickly look up something we were wondering about in class.
Some use them (rather than paper) to take notes. I see no reason to prohibit that.
Why not?
They use ’em to chat and read their email. When I walk over to them, they immediately switch screens or close them.
I saw them do this in an art class in Siena; I was furious. Only one student was viewing the art. The teacher, who was a superb lecturer shrugged his shoulders when I told him.
So they can work along with me and explore parallel tracks of inquiry.
There have been so few occurrences of students asking if they can use them, and there has never been a situation in which it seemed that the computer was being used inappropriately.
Although – it sometimes bothers me to see laptops – many (not all) students do use them to take notes.. It seems that the younger generations expect to use them.
Allows them to take notes. (I suppose I risk the student doing other work or checking email.)
Interferes with the discussion, not all students use it for the class at hand … most are doing facebook or email.
Sometimes, to take notes or be a recorder for a class project.
I allow this sometimes, but only when I can verify that they are using it to take notes, not to look at websites.
Sometimes they come in handy for information retrieval and can work very well in peer to peer or teacher to student paper critiques. However, I have a strict no tolerance policy that if I discover one student breaking the rules one time, I will automatically revoke privileges for everyone.
Generally, this hasn’t been an issue for me. But for one of my classes in the fall, there was a lot of ‘in-class’ work to be done and many of the documents needed were on Blackboard. So students would bring their laptops & use them.
Because I can’t think of a reasonable way to prohibit it. I appreciate that computers are very useful for note-taking, and it seems unfair to make the resource off limits because of the students who abuse it.
Some find it easier to take notes on computers.
to take notes only. though there have been a few cases where they’ve googled things we were discussing during class so we can all know the answer immediately.
I haven’t seen any precedent that would persuade me to ban them in class, as long as they are being used appropriately. I suppose that even if they were being used inappropriately, as long as the student was not interrupting class or otherwise disturbing the learning environment, I would not have any inclination to ban such devices. Under testing conditions, I would not allow the use of computers or smart phones/devices.
It hasn’t yet become a big issue in my classes.
To access my Lecture Notes, Blackboard website, java applets, or even to record the lecture if they want to.
Students have internet access, which, among other things, can allow them to look up concepts, materials, or examples discussed in class. Overall, I have found the practice useful and stimulating to class discussion.
Too distracting to students.
Those who reported to have specific policies regarding laptop/notebook use submitted the following.
However, students know that I have “viewers” that pass by the doors of the classroom. If there are other windows open, they can be called on it.
It is the same unwritten policy for all classroom interactions. Student should be respectful of their colleagues and not behave in a manner that is disruptive to others’ learning. When there are issues, I speak with the student first. If the behavior is not rectified, then sanctions may follow. In the case of a laptop, that could include no longer being allowed to use it in class.
I consider it ill-mannered for a student to interact with computer when class time is structured for direct interactions with peers and instructor. I let them know what is acceptable and simply ask for their undivided attention and interactive participation when it is expected. Otherwise they are free to “check-out.”
Cannot be distracting for other students or professor.
I would call it more of a “Use at your own risk” policy.
Not allowed during exams.
It must be used for note taking, nothing more.
They can’t use it during quizzes.
No specific policies, but I worry about texting and such..but I haven’t decided if I can or would be willing to play that kind of enforcement role.
Not that I state explicitly. Though I would talk with a student using such a machine and remind them not to let it distract them and to use only for notetaking during class time.
NO, IF THEY USE THEM TO AMUSE THEMSELVES RATHER THAN TAKING LECTURE NOTES… WELL, THATS THEIR CHOICE AND THEIR FUNERAL WHEN EXAM TIME COMES. IF IT BOTHERS OTHERS THEN I SHUT THEM DOWN.
Not on exams or quizzes, and not if it becomes a disruption.
They are to sit near me, so I can monitor computer use.
Cannot be used during exams
Laptops must be used for class business only.
Maybe will need to do so in the future, but so far have not seen it as a problem.
Should have policies. Teachers should walk around the room often to help prevent students from playing on the computers. I don’t know if this can happen but students with computers should also sit toward the back to avoid distracting other students.
If we are doing something where the use of their computer makes sense such as group projects or note taking. Otherwise, we use the computer in the classroom.
No use for websites, email, etc.
Only for notetaking or specific projects related to the class in session.
I ought to have specific policies, but I don’t. Instead I find myself periodically confronting students whose attention is clearly elsewhere.
Notes only and they must sit in the front row.