Should universities and colleges be allowed to ban laptop computer use?

Question

I've heard of some universities banning the use of laptops in class, their argument being that students don't pay attention.

Laptops get the job done with ease and organization. As far as I'm concerned, *I* am paying for the class, and if the professor can't keep my interest, is that my fault? Opinions?

Answer 1

I sat next to this kid who sat in class and was on facebook/myspace the entire class, and he failed every exam we took. On the other hand, I used my laptop to take notes and like you said it is much more efficient. I ended up with an 'A' in the class.

Therefore, I don't think colleges and universities should ban the usage of them. It is really up to the student to be disciplined enough to not waste time in class.

Answer 2

I suppose that you don't realize how annoying it is to have some morons in your class typing away on MSN (without turning the sounds off!!) or playing around on Facebook and going to online game sites while you're trying to pay attention to a lecture. Did you know that some professors will kick you out if your cell phone rings during their lecture?? I think it's great, but the students have the same uppity complaints, "I'm paying for this so I should be able to do whatever I want." HA!!!

If the professor can't keep your interest, yes that is your fault. Why? Because you are the one who is 100% responsible for your learning, not your professor. Your professor is merely a resource of information. You need to learn how to use that resource properly and if you can't, you're inept and should be expelled from all institutions higher learning regardless of how much tuition you paid.

Answer 3

Many professors don't allow students to use laptops in the classroom, and that is completely up to the descretion of the professor. Yes, you're paying for the class - and no matter what the professor is saying, your email will seem much more interesting. They are allowed to keep out distractions. If you can't pay attention, it SHOULD be your fault when you fail.

Answer 4

It's a private university, they can do whatever they want. It also sounds like they're doing this because they are getting complaints from donors. If you were a business, would you rather stifle the source of complaints, or lose a good portion of your funds, causing a very good chance of bankrupting the University? The "liberal" colleges are (usually) public ones, and as such cannot because it would violate the First Amendment. Also, it's to be noted that they group is not being punished. They can still attend the school, they can still meet, they just can't connect it to the school. As a private university, they have the right to do this. "Private universities have a right to prevent people from advocating political candidates? Not if they want to be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code." Nothing here says anything about preventing people from advocating political candidates. They just can't connect the school to promoting policies that don't fall in line with the school's philosophy because of the complaints (and likely threats of removing funding).

Answer 5

It's kind of true. But the truth also is that people can generally type faster than they write, so a laptop is more economical.

Yes, it is your fault if you can't pay attention to the professor. If that's the case, you should be spending your money on a course that interests you more.

Answer 6

Universities and colleges can ban any behavior they choose to ban in the classroom. I also prefer taking notes on a laptop, but unfortunately, other students have ruined it for those who legitimately want to use them. What you may not realize is that most of the complaints, at least at my school, have come from other students. They are annoyed at the noisy, distracting way that their classmates are using their computers, and those who want to concentrate on the class are finding it hard to do so. As an instructor, I have no trouble with students using laptops in class, and I tend to agree with you that it is my responsibility to keep the class interested, but I was startled to hear students applaud when one of my colleagues banned laptops in his classroom. They said that students had been playing games, jerking around oddly, and it had distracted them from focusing on the class.

Answer 7

It's a good idea. In my years of academic coursework, I've found zero benefit towards a laptop during a lecture itself. They are ill-suited to tasks such as drawing little diagrams or making little comments next to pre-written text -- most all professors today already have all their notes up.

Laptops are annoying to others surrounding them. Keyboards make loud clicking sounds, along with the trackpad buttons. Many offenders have cheapo laptops too, which have fans screaming out in a loud pitched whine -- please keep them away from me!

Answer 8

I agree most students don't pay attention when they have laptops. And yes it is you fault if you are not paying attention. Sometimes in life we have to do thing we don't want to do. Like paying attention.

Answer 9

Why waste your time and go to class if you're not interested?