Debate surrounding student use of computers during class has resurfaced following mathematics professor Daniel Rockmore’s June 6 article in The New Yorker, “The Case for Banning Laptops in the Classroom.” Since the article’s publication, some classes have implemented a no-laptop policy, which professors say is aimed at preventing distraction.
Rockmore wrote that the use of laptops entices students to browse the web, shop online and check social media, citing studies showing that students without computers performed better in quizzes after the lecture and that taking notes by hand makes for stronger learning.
The piece received significant attention online, including responses published in Slate and the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Religion professor Kevin Reinhart said that he banned laptops in his class following the article, noting that he has observed numerous cases of students being distracted by Facebook and instant messaging, among other web services. Emphasizing the learning benefits of taking notes by hand, he said he believes the ban would prompt students to engage with the lecture.
Reinhart did acknowledge some benefits to taking notes by computer. For students “in the heat” of transcribing everything mentioned in class, handwriting might worsen, but typing allows the student to transcribe faster and review it effortlessly in the future. Reinhart said he decided to institute the ban despite these benefits and that he has not yet received any complaints from students.
Dartmouth, Reinhart added, needs to implement a policy that allows professors to block Wi-Fi and Internet browsers in class.
“The College has not done a very good job of taking stock of what kinds of changes technology has produced,” he said.
History professor Rich Kremer has also implemented a no-laptop policy in his class, after discussions about Rockmore’s article with colleagues and students. The class, he said, decided the ban would be a reasonable and effective step to prevent distraction.
But to Kremer, a deeper issue stands behind the article: an attempt to preserve old pedagogical methods in the face of new technology. He said this debate resembles the debate that surrounded the first cars built with a location to place a buggy whip.
“You got the buggy whip -— students solely listening to the lecture — and the gasoline engine, and these two things don’t really go together,” he said.
But just as the buggy whip became obsolete, Kremer said, so too will lectures. In their place, Kremer said he expects an evolution into what he calls “modularity,” where universities will break learning into “smaller digestible chunks” in lieu of extended class time.
In 10 to 15 years, he said, the idea of taking a class for 10 weeks may give way to different conceptions of the university course, which could be taught for various periods of time, anywhere from a week to a year.
Computer science professor Stephen Pink, a visiting professor from the University of Arizona, said he does not plan to prevent laptop use in his “Computer Architecture” class.
Pink said that as long as the laptops do not distract students or him, he does not find them worthy of a ban.
“I believe in giving students as much freedom as possible and treating them like adults,” he said. “So far, I have never been bothered with students using laptops in class.”
As some professors opt to impose a laptop ban, students with disabilities still may use a laptop in the classroom for note-taking purposes, student accessibility services director Ward Newmeyer said. Students with neurological or medical conditions typically have difficulty controlling writing utensils, he said, so typing can be less cognitively demanding for them.
If a student with a disability enrolls in a class that bans laptops, Newmeyer said, student accessibility services will meet with the professor to reach an agreement. He added that the office is very careful in approving these exceptions, as they do not want to compromise the objectives of the course, he said.
“We want to level the field for students with disabilities, not create an undue advantage,” he said.
Ten students interviewed said they did not approve of a ban on laptops, and some argued that they should have the freedom to use their laptops however they see fit — provided, of course, it does not affect a classmate. Each also acknowledged laptops can cause distraction. Seven said they have found laptops vital to their ability to take quick, accurate notes during lectures.
Alex Mitola ’16 said people learn better by writing their notes, but he believes students should make the decision whether or not to note-take by hand.
Rockmore did not respond to multiple requests for comment by press time.
