Andi and others,
I have just instituted a new policy this semester: no laptops. It was
taking too much energy to monitor, remind, cajole, and plead with
students to not surf the web. So I now have a technology policy in my
syllabus that disallows the use of any and all computer devices during
class, except for students with a documented learning disability that is
accommodated by taking notes on a computer. I understand and appreciate
the efficiency in typing, rather than writing, class notes, but it
proved to be far too heavy a distraction (for everyone).
Teresa
Andi Stepnick wrote:
Hi All,
How do you all deal with laptop use in class? I ask
students to put up PDAs/cells, but it seems a few
use laptops for something other than note taking.
This seems to happen at the start of class when we
talk about the daily news or our sociological
observations or when students are talking. Many
colleagues report similar findings...students who
think they can listen in while doing email, etc.
Obviously it’s disrespectful to those who are
speaking but it also appears to distract the laptop
user’s neighbors.
Luckily, it’s not much of a problem for me, but I’d
like to nip it in the bud and get a handle on it
before next semester. I *think* I’d like to handle
it in as “light” of a way as possible (e.g., an
email in passing to the class about respectful
laptop use?).
What do you say to your students? Do you have
“policies” for laptop use? How do you monitor
laptop use, if at all?
Thanks.
Andi
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Teresa Ciabattari, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
Sonoma State University
Stevenson Hall 2084N
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Phone: (707) 664-2703
Fax: (707) 664-3920
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
