Re: Laptops and Lecture Halls

Sep 24, 2014

When it comes to classroom management in higher education, what are your opinions about laptops and other electronic devices? Do you think they should be banned or embraced or you don’t care? Why?

When I was an undergraduate approximately 10 years ago, my laptop was my gateway to engaging myself with the professor’s lecture. I would have their PowerPoint open on it and would actively be taking notes. I would have the library’s website open so I could open articles as the professor brought them up. I believe my laptop gave me extra insight into the subject matter area I was studying. I believe that “laptops provide a tremendous opportunity to enhance student learning in an age of changing classroom dynamics” (Murray, 2011, p. 186).

Some professors have banned laptops because they think it leads to students being court stenographers instead of writing making notes about connections and thoughts they may be having (Murray, 2011). Others instructors say that the...See MoreWhen it comes to classroom management in higher education, what are your opinions about laptops and other electronic devices? Do you think they should be banned or embraced or you don’t care? Why?

When I was an undergraduate approximately 10 years ago, my laptop was my gateway to engaging myself with the professor’s lecture. I would have their PowerPoint open on it and would actively be taking notes. I would have the library’s website open so I could open articles as the professor brought them up. I believe my laptop gave me extra insight into the subject matter area I was studying. I believe that “laptops provide a tremendous opportunity to enhance student learning in an age of changing classroom dynamics” (Murray, 2011, p. 186).

Some professors have banned laptops because they think it leads to students being court stenographers instead of writing making notes about connections and thoughts they may be having (Murray, 2011). Others instructors say that the laptops are the main reason students do not pay attention in class—it distracts them (Barak, Lipson, & Lerman, 2006).

I am of the mind that students have had and will always have reasons to be distracted and the means to encourage those distractions. Some instructors have banned laptops, and others have had WiFi turned off. This is definitely one way to manage the level of distraction in your classroom, but I still think students will find ways to distract themselves. So when does this become less of a question about technology/classroom management and the way we are teaching? Perhaps the laptop does not need to be turned off. Perhaps we need to turn on different ways of teaching that are more engaging than the passive learning environment of the classroom. What do you thin? Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless Laptops as Means For Promoting Active Learning In Large Lecture Halls. Journal of Research on Technology in Education (International Society for Technology in Education), 38(3), 245–263. Murray, K. E. (2011). Let them use laptops: Debunking the assumptions underlying the debate over laptops in the classroom. Oklahoma City University Law Review. Oklahoma City University, 36(1), 185–229.

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Don To me, it all depends on the professor. There really is no way around technology in lecture halls. I sat in many classes that did not allow laptops or other forms of technology in their room, but I still saw students surfing the web on their phones. Many of the lecture room tables had front or half fronts on them that would restrict the ability to ...See MoreTo me, it all depends on the professor. There really is no way around technology in lecture halls. I sat in many classes that did not allow laptops or other forms of technology in their room, but I still saw students surfing the web on their phones. Many of the lecture room tables had front or half fronts on them that would restrict the ability to see under them from the front. Students are going to find a way to use technology even when they cant. As for should it be allowed? If I ever become a professor, I wouldn't care. You will find that there are those who truly care about their education and will take notes either way, hand written, voice recorder, etc. Then there will be others that just do not care. Their grades will reflect their true understanding of the lecture. I would make it clear in the beggining that they are allowed, but the use of them should not be abused. Adults should understand. Kids, maybe a different story.

Then you have the issue about the auditory learners. I have been in a lecture that had an older adult "freak out" in the middle of the lecture because younger students sat around them and were "typing loudly." I can see the problem and how it could be a distraction on many levels, but maybe I would break the class into to halves. Sit over here if you have a device....sit over here if you do not. This may help. What do you think? Would this be to much like segregating people?

With all of that said, I try to embrace laptops, chrome books, iPad, or other forms of technology, because I find them as useful tools if used correctly. Our youth as well as our learners will benefit from using them either inside or outside of class.

Don

On 9/24/14, Josh H. wrote: > When it comes to classroom management in higher education, what are > your opinions about laptops and other electronic devices? Do you think > they should be banned or embraced or you don’t care? Why? > > When I was an undergraduate approximately 10 years ago, my laptop was > my gateway to engaging myself with the professor’s lecture. I would > have their PowerPoint open on it and would actively be taking notes. I > would have the library’s website open so I could open articles as the > professor brought them up. I believe my laptop gave me extra insight > into the subject matter area I was studying. I believe that “laptops > provide a tremendous opportunity to enhance student learning in an age > of changing classroom dynamics” (Murray, 2011, p. 186). > > Some professors have banned laptops because they think it leads to > students being court stenographers instead of writing making notes > about connections and thoughts they may be having (Murray, 2011). > Others instructors say that the laptops are the main reason students > do not pay attention in class—it distracts them (Barak, Lipson, & > Lerman, 2006). > > I am of the mind that students have had and will always have reasons > to be distracted and the means to encourage those distractions. Some > instructors have banned laptops, and others have had WiFi turned off. > This is definitely one way to manage the level of distraction in your > classroom, but I still think students will find ways to distract > themselves. So when does this become less of a question about > technology/classroom management and the way we are teaching? Perhaps > the laptop does not need to be turned off. Perhaps we need to turn on > different ways of teaching that are more engaging than the passive > learning environment of the classroom. What do you thin? > Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless Laptops as Means > For Promoting Active Learning In Large Lecture Halls. Journal of > Research on Technology in Education (International Society for > Technology in Education), 38(3), 245–263. > Murray, K. E. (2011). Let them use laptops: Debunking the assumptions > underlying the debate over laptops in the classroom. Oklahoma City > University Law Review. Oklahoma City University, 36(1), 185–229.

Sep 25, 2014

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Seth Johnson Today in class I had seniors ask if they could use their cell phones for research on a paper. We could not use the computer labs this week due to unforeseen testing issues. The students were required to write their rough drafts by hand. The writing was no problem, but our classroom text is lacking.

I was very pleasantly surprised. Through...See More

Sep 25, 2014

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Kent On 9/25/14, Don wrote: > To me, it all depends on the professor. There really is no way around technology in lecture > halls. I sat in many classes that did not allow laptops or other forms of technology in their > room, but I still saw students surfing the web on their phones. Many of the lecture room tables > had front or half fronts ...See MoreOn 9/25/14, Don wrote: > To me, it all depends on the professor. There really is no way around technology in lecture > halls. I sat in many classes that did not allow laptops or other forms of technology in their > room, but I still saw students surfing the web on their phones. Many of the lecture room tables > had front or half fronts on them that would restrict the ability to see under them from the > front. Students are going to find a way to use technology even when they cant. As for should it > be allowed? If I ever become a professor, I wouldn't care. You will find that there are those > who truly care about their education and will take notes either way, hand written, voice > recorder, etc. Then there will be others that just do not care. Their grades will reflect their > true understanding of the lecture. I would make it clear in the beggining that they are allowed, > but the use of them should not be abused. Adults should understand. Kids, maybe a different > story. > > Then you have the issue about the auditory learners. I have been in a lecture that had an older > adult "freak out" in the middle of the lecture because younger students sat around them and were > "typing loudly." I can see the problem and how it could be a distraction on many levels, but > maybe I would break the class into to halves. Sit over here if you have a device....sit over > here if you do not. This may help. What do you think? Would this be to much like segregating > people? > > With all of that said, I try to embrace laptops, chrome books, iPad, or other forms of > technology, because I find them as useful tools if used correctly. Our youth as well as our > learners will benefit from using them either inside or outside of class. > > Don > > On 9/24/14, Josh H. wrote: >> When it comes to classroom management in higher education, what are >> your opinions about laptops and other electronic devices? Do you think >> they should be banned or embraced or you don’t care? Why? >> >> When I was an undergraduate approximately 10 years ago, my laptop was >> my gateway to engaging myself with the professor’s lecture. I would >> have their PowerPoint open on it and would actively be taking notes. I >> would have the library’s website open so I could open articles as the >> professor brought them up. I believe my laptop gave me extra insight >> into the subject matter area I was studying. I believe that “laptops >> provide a tremendous opportunity to enhance student learning in an age >> of changing classroom dynamics” (Murray, 2011, p. 186). >> >> Some professors have banned laptops because they think it leads to >> students being court stenographers instead of writing making notes >> about connections and thoughts they may be having (Murray, 2011). >> Others instructors say that the laptops are the main reason students >> do not pay attention in class—it distracts them (Barak, Lipson, & >> Lerman, 2006). >> >> I am of the mind that students have had and will always have reasons >> to be distracted and the means to encourage those distractions. Some >> instructors have banned laptops, and others have had WiFi turned off. >> This is definitely one way to manage the level of distraction in your >> classroom, but I still think students will find ways to distract >> themselves. So when does this become less of a question about >> technology/classroom management and the way we are teaching? Perhaps >> the laptop does not need to be turned off. Perhaps we need to turn on >> different ways of teaching that are more engaging than the passive >> learning environment of the classroom. What do you thin? >> Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless Laptops as Means >> For Promoting Active Learning In Large Lecture Halls. Journal of >> Research on Technology in Education (International Society for >> Technology in Education), 38(3), 245–263. >> Murray, K. E. (2011). Let them use laptops: Debunking the assumptions >> underlying the debate over laptops in the classroom. Oklahoma City >> University Law Review. Oklahoma City University, 36(1), 185–229.

Sep 25, 2014

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Kent I think technology in the classroom is inevitable. Devices are so small and easily hidden now that you might as well embrace them and use them to your advantage. I do agree that if you are not a user, others around you using can be a distraction. So yes, I would allow non-users to move away from the users. I think you need to decide if the technoog...See MoreI think technology in the classroom is inevitable. Devices are so small and easily hidden now that you might as well embrace them and use them to your advantage. I do agree that if you are not a user, others around you using can be a distraction. So yes, I would allow non-users to move away from the users. I think you need to decide if the technoogy is going to enhance or detract from your lecture or demonstration however. If it is going to prevent the students from paying attenton to important portions maybe you should share your lecture notes with the students so they will actually sit and listen. Despite what they think, if they are trying to take notes and listen at the same time, they are missing some of what is being said or shown.

> On 9/25/14, Don wrote: >> To me, it all depends on the professor. There really is no way > around technology in lecture >> halls. I sat in many classes that did not allow laptops or other > forms of technology in their >> room, but I still saw students surfing the web on their > phones. Many of the lecture room tables >> had front or half fronts on them that would restrict the ability > to see under them from the >> front. Students are going to find a way to use technology > even when they cant. As for should it >> be allowed? If I ever become a professor, I wouldn't care. You > will find that there are those >> who truly care about their education and will take notes > either way, hand written, voice >> recorder, etc. Then there will be others that just do not care. > Their grades will reflect their >> true understanding of the lecture. I would make it clear in the > beggining that they are allowed, >> but the use of them should not be abused. Adults should > understand. Kids, maybe a different >> story. >> >> Then you have the issue about the auditory learners. I have > been in a lecture that had an older >> adult "freak out" in the middle of the lecture because younger > students sat around them and were >> "typing loudly." I can see the problem and how it could be a > distraction on many levels, but >> maybe I would break the class into to halves. Sit over here if > you have a device....sit over >> here if you do not. This may help. What do you think? Would > this be to much like segregating >> people? >> >> With all of that said, I try to embrace laptops, chrome books, > iPad, or other forms of >> technology, because I find them as useful tools if used > correctly. Our youth as well as our >> learners will benefit from using them either inside or outside > of class. >> >> Don >> >> On 9/24/14, Josh H. wrote: >>> When it comes to classroom management in higher > education, what are >>> your opinions about laptops and other electronic devices? > Do you think >>> they should be banned or embraced or you don’t care? > Why? >>> >>> When I was an undergraduate approximately 10 years ago, > my laptop was >>> my gateway to engaging myself with the professor’s > lecture. I would >>> have their PowerPoint open on it and would actively be > taking notes. I >>> would have the library’s website open so I could open > articles as the >>> professor brought them up. I believe my laptop gave me > extra insight >>> into the subject matter area I was studying. I believe that > “laptops >>> provide a tremendous opportunity to enhance student > learning in an age >>> of changing classroom dynamics” (Murray, 2011, p. 186). >>> >>> Some professors have banned laptops because they think it > leads to >>> students being court stenographers instead of writing > making notes >>> about connections and thoughts they may be having > (Murray, 2011). >>> Others instructors say that the laptops are the main reason > students >>> do not pay attention in class—it distracts them (Barak, > Lipson, & >>> Lerman, 2006). >>> >>> I am of the mind that students have had and will always > have reasons >>> to be distracted and the means to encourage those > distractions. Some >>> instructors have banned laptops, and others have had WiFi > turned off. >>> This is definitely one way to manage the level of distraction > in your >>> classroom, but I still think students will find ways to > distract >>> themselves. So when does this become less of a question > about >>> technology/classroom management and the way we are > teaching? Perhaps >>> the laptop does not need to be turned off. Perhaps we need > to turn on >>> different ways of teaching that are more engaging than the > passive >>> learning environment of the classroom. What do you thin? >>> Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless Laptops > as Means >>> For Promoting Active Learning In Large Lecture Halls. > Journal of >>> Research on Technology in Education (International Society > for >>> Technology in Education), 38(3), 245–263. >>> Murray, K. E. (2011). Let them use laptops: Debunking the > assumptions >>> underlying the debate over laptops in the classroom. > Oklahoma City >>> University Law Review. Oklahoma City University, 36(1), > 185–229.

Sep 25, 2014

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barhydtk I think it's true that technology in the classroom is inevitable, but mostly because it's a helpful addition to advancing pedagogical goals. When used well technology enhances and does not detract from teaching and learning.

I work in higher ed, and laptops are ubiquitous. They are positive and productive tools. Mostly they are useful when...See MoreI think it's true that technology in the classroom is inevitable, but mostly because it's a helpful addition to advancing pedagogical goals. When used well technology enhances and does not detract from teaching and learning.

I work in higher ed, and laptops are ubiquitous. They are positive and productive tools. Mostly they are useful when integrated wisely by the professors.

I now see lecture capture as the most inevitable of technologies. The low cost of media cloud storage has now made it possible to record just about every lecture, and the same technology has made it easy for learners to access, annotate and manage those recordings from nearly any device, anywhere there is an internet connection.

On 9/25/14, Kent wrote: > I think technology in the classroom is inevitable. Devices are so > small and easily hidden now that you might as well embrace them > and use them to your advantage. I do agree that if you are not a > user, others around you using can be a distraction. So yes, I would > allow non-users to move away from the users. I think you need to > decide if the technoogy is going to enhance or detract from your > lecture or demonstration however. If it is going to prevent the > students from paying attenton to important portions maybe you > should share your lecture notes with the students so they will > actually sit and listen. Despite what they think, if they are trying to > take notes and listen at the same time, they are missing some of > what is being said or shown. > >> On 9/25/14, Don wrote: >>> To me, it all depends on the professor. There really is no way >> around technology in lecture >>> halls. I sat in many classes that did not allow laptops or other >> forms of technology in their >>> room, but I still saw students surfing the web on their >> phones. Many of the lecture room tables >>> had front or half fronts on them that would restrict the ability >> to see under them from the >>> front. Students are going to find a way to use technology >> even when they cant. As for should it >>> be allowed? If I ever become a professor, I wouldn't care. You >> will find that there are those >>> who truly care about their education and will take notes >> either way, hand written, voice >>> recorder, etc. Then there will be others that just do not care. >> Their grades will reflect their >>> true understanding of the lecture. I would make it clear in the >> beggining that they are allowed, >>> but the use of them should not be abused. Adults should >> understand. Kids, maybe a different >>> story. >>> >>> Then you have the issue about the auditory learners. I have >> been in a lecture that had an older >>> adult "freak out" in the middle of the lecture because younger >> students sat around them and were >>> "typing loudly." I can see the problem and how it could be a >> distraction on many levels, but >>> maybe I would break the class into to halves. Sit over here if >> you have a device....sit over >>> here if you do not. This may help. What do you think? Would >> this be to much like segregating >>> people? >>> >>> With all of that said, I try to embrace laptops, chrome books, >> iPad, or other forms of >>> technology, because I find them as useful tools if used >> correctly. Our youth as well as our >>> learners will benefit from using them either inside or outside >> of class. >>> >>> Don >>> >>> On 9/24/14, Josh H. wrote: >>>> When it comes to classroom management in higher >> education, what are >>>> your opinions about laptops and other electronic devices? >> Do you think >>>> they should be banned or embraced or you don’t care? >> Why? >>>> >>>> When I was an undergraduate approximately 10 years ago, >> my laptop was >>>> my gateway to engaging myself with the professor’s >> lecture. I would >>>> have their PowerPoint open on it and would actively be >> taking notes. I >>>> would have the library’s website open so I could open >> articles as the >>>> professor brought them up. I believe my laptop gave me >> extra insight >>>> into the subject matter area I was studying. I believe that >> “laptops >>>> provide a tremendous opportunity to enhance student >> learning in an age >>>> of changing classroom dynamics” (Murray, 2011, p. 186). >>>> >>>> Some professors have banned laptops because they think it >> leads to >>>> students being court stenographers instead of writing >> making notes >>>> about connections and thoughts they may be having >> (Murray, 2011). >>>> Others instructors say that the laptops are the main reason >> students >>>> do not pay attention in class—it distracts them (Barak, >> Lipson, & >>>> Lerman, 2006). >>>> >>>> I am of the mind that students have had and will always >> have reasons >>>> to be distracted and the means to encourage those >> distractions. Some >>>> instructors have banned laptops, and others have had WiFi >> turned off. >>>> This is definitely one way to manage the level of distraction >> in your >>>> classroom, but I still think students will find ways to >> distract >>>> themselves. So when does this become less of a question >> about >>>> technology/classroom management and the way we are >> teaching? Perhaps >>>> the laptop does not need to be turned off. Perhaps we need >> to turn on >>>> different ways of teaching that are more engaging than the >> passive >>>> learning environment of the classroom. What do you thin? >>>> Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless Laptops >> as Means >>>> For Promoting Active Learning In Large Lecture Halls. >> Journal of >>>> Research on Technology in Education (International Society >> for >>>> Technology in Education), 38(3), 245–263. >>>> Murray, K. E. (2011). Let them use laptops: Debunking the >> assumptions >>>> underlying the debate over laptops in the classroom. >> Oklahoma City >>>> University Law Review. Oklahoma City University, 36(1), >> 185–229.

Sep 28, 2014

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