Students Want to Know:
Can I Use My Laptop in Class?
Heather Martin

Of course you can! But, just so you know, this time is our time to work and discuss, so I'll be interrupting your Facebook and IM time; that will wait until after class is over.
-- Jeff Ludwig

Yes, we can often use our laptops in class, and sometimes I prefer that we use them to complete in-class writing. But when we move to discussing issues or a particular reading assignment, it's important for us to close our laptops, so we can converse face-to-face, without our computers distracting us. Ultimately, it depends on what we are doing in class whether or not it's appropriate to use our laptops.
-- Geoffrey Bateman

I expect my students to bring their laptops every day, and we use them quite a bit for in-class writing, research, and document sharing. I think that it is generally more effective to take notes with pen and paper, however, and it is far easier to carry on a group conversation when the laptops are closed. I know that many people think of themselves as multitaskers, but we just can't process new material, respond to our peers thoughtfully, and Facebook at the same time. BTW, professors can almost always tell when students are using their laptops for something other than classwork and, yes, we do find it annoying. :)
-- Jennifer Campbell

Yes, you may use them; indeed, I insist that you bring them, so that we can write and revise in class. But please: no Internet surfing, emailing, Facebooking, etc.
-- John Tiedemann

Yes and no. We will use them in class from time to time, for in-class writing, draft workshops, and the like. But I prefer closed laptops at all other times. This is not because I dont trust my students or because I dont see the value of technology in the classroom. I do it because I understand how difficult it can be to stay focused on a task when faced with the temptation of new emails, invitations to chat, and status updates from friends. I will admit that I have fallen victim to such temptation in my own work life. It makes sense to me to avoid these enticements when possible, with the hope that my students will get the most out of our class time.
-- Heather Martin

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