Most of us students have all had a class or two where the professor was pretty lenient on the idea of students using their laptops to take notes. While some do use their laptops during class with proper self control, I believe I could accurately state most do not.
A couple weeks ago I was sitting in class trying to pay attention to my lecture when I caught myself constantly looking over the shoulder of a fellow classmate who had brought his laptop to class that day. Most of the time I am not distracted by the usual Facebook addict flipping through Halloween photos of their 2,000 friends. However, this student was engaging in a different online obsession: blackjack.
This was very distracting for someone like me who also likes to try my luck every once in a while. Not knowing this student, I found myself wondering if he was staying true to the book by practicing basic strategy techniques such as doubling down on 11, splitting aces and eights or holding on soft 18.
After several bad beats, I shifted my focus back to my professor. Nevertheless, I could not stop thinking about Vegas and the bestselling book “Bringing Down The House,” which was the basis of the movie “21.”
I’m sure I am not the only one who can frequently become distracted by the wandering actions of classmates with laptops. This is where I begin to question the need for laptops in class. We are all aware of how short our attention span is relative to the amount of time of professors’ lectures. Is being able to type your notes in class worth the added amounts of distractions you bring to yourself and others?
I rarely see students on computers fully exert themselves in the topics being discussed by their professors. This is why I see it as more harmful than it is productive. When there is no interaction between students and professors the entire class is boring. Professors want students to ask questions and participate in lectures to show students are paying attention and at least trying to learn the material.
It is like when a girl asks a guy a sports question. The guy instinctually wants to prove his masculinity by providing as much knowledge on the subject as the girl is willing to listen to. Professors are the same way. They want to provide any additional information so we can fully understand the subject matter.
On another note, I believe professors take notice of students who do not ask questions or participate in lecture to the extent of not caring to learn their name or show sympathy toward poor performance on exams.
Reasons such as these should be example enough to discourage those from bringing computers to class when they are not required. Not only do you heighten the level of temptation for your mind to wander, you rarely learn things that are not test material. This may be a revelation, but some students go to class to learn things that are not going to be on the test.
I’m sure some will not agree with my position that students should be barred from bringing laptops to class when they are not necessary. I accede to the argument of typed notes being much easier to study and follow along with than those that are hand written.
However, typing your notes after you hand write them in class is a good way to study without putting much stress on your brain.
Students should dissuade themselves from bringing their computers to class out of respect for your classmates and professors. We all know your schedule is very busy and you cannot possibly find the time outside of class to check your e-mail or Facebook. However, please be courteous to others who are there to learn with minimal distractions.
3 comments