Laptops in classes

The use of laptops in classes, like the use of much technology, has been both a boon and a bane to teachers.  The ideal of students easily taking notes or calling up relevant webpages is frequently replaced by messaging, shopping, playing games, and surfing.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has an excellent article, “The Fight for Classroom Attention: Professor vs. Laptop”

We suggest that you establish laptop use guidelines and include them in your syllabus.  Some faculty simply ban laptops (the exception, of course, is those registered disabled students who need them to take notes, or the notetakers for those students).

Here are some excellent suggestions from Linda Nilson, Director of the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation at Clemson University:

• Tell students to keep their laptops closed unless they are doing an online task that you assigned.
• Set specific objectives for them to accomplish in their in-class laptop assignments, and hold them accountable-e.g., randomly ask students or teams to report their progress to the entire class.
• Set tight time limits for these assignments.
• Design these assignments for pairs, tryads, or quads.  Aside from the likely learning benefits, group work will help keep the students on task, as students will not be able to agree on a renegade web site.
• Walk around the room and stand in the back to monitor their screens during these assignments.
• Have students bring their laptops to class only on certain days, and tell them explicitly not to bring them the other days.
• Mark students absent for the day if you catch them at a renegade site.

One of the very best resources for both students and faculty is from the University of Wisconsin.  It includes advice for faculty, including setting ground rules:

• have periods of time when laptop users must close their lids
• state that laptops and cell phone are prohibited during test times
• establish consequences for inappropriate use
• encourage your students to be mindful of how they use them.

And it suggests that you establish some etiquette standards for students:

• be sure the sound it off
• stay on task: surfing or gaming may be distracting to other students
• use the laptop to contribute to, not detract from, learning

And there are a number of other suggestions in an “Advice for Students” section.  The website also includes a list of best practices for using wireless in teaching.

Other good examples of suggestions for laptop etiquette:
Indiana State University
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Managment

And The Ohio State University provides a whole set of interesting articles and workshops on managing distractions related to wireless access.