Some Norwich students are abandoning pen and paper for laptops in class, with mixed reactions.
“Laptops are a helpful tool depending on your class,” said Ricky Sarimento, 19, sophomore, dual major in computer security and communications. “A lot of my classes are computer oriented and I need a computer in front of me whether it is programming or reading a PowerPoint or taking notes.”
In his classes, Sarimento said, “I would say about five out of 10 students use laptops.”
The use of laptops by students is on a class-by-class basis, according to another student.
“I know one of my classes where no one uses a laptop and I know another of my classes where five or six use laptops so it varies from zero to five,” said Stephen Chalupka, 19, international studies major from Worcester, Mass.
Some professors don’t let students use laptops during classes.
“I think that not a lot of students use laptops because most teachers actually don’t allow the use of laptops or if they do allow it they are on your case about it,” said Parker Babbe, 19, sophomore, a dual major in business management and accounting with a minor in English from Santa Barbara, Calif.
Only a small percentage of students are allowed to use laptops in her classroom, said assistant professor of English Gina Logan.
“The only students using laptops in my class are students with disabilities for which laptops are recommended as a learning aid so we are talking about very small numbers, fewer than 5 percent,” Logan said. “If I had a student who has accommodations for a learning disability, for instance, and one of the recommendations is that he/she be allowed to use his/her laptop to take notes,” then that student can use a laptop in her class.
Adjunct faculty member Jeanne Beckwith has a similar policy. The use of laptops is mainly on a need-based system in her classroom.
“Not as a rule but if the student can demonstrate that he/she has a real need to use laptops to take notes and is willing to sit in the front row where I can see him then yes I will let him/her use it,” Beckwith said. Only a small amount of need-based students use laptops in the classroom, she said.
“I usually have two or three that have gotten permission,” Beckwith said.
Most professors at Norwich University do not completely rule out the use of laptops in the classroom, according to Logan.
“I don’t know if any of my colleagues have an absolute prohibition,” Logan said. “I would say the majority of professors here are similar to me what is it being used for and who is using it.”
The use of laptops can be helpful for some students, Beckwith said, but she has her doubts.
“I think for some students it can be helpful for taking notes although I am not entirely convinced that the theme is not true anywhere but in their heads,” Beckwith said.
There are days in the classroom where all students are allowed to bring laptops to class, according to Beckwith.
“When I do a research assignment and I am wanting to guide students I will let them bring laptops to class so we can explore something online,” Beckwith said.
The use of laptops makes it easier to multitask and better understand the professor, according to Chalupka.
“I know I used my laptop in one of my political science courses and while the teacher was talking I was able to take notes a lot quicker as I was able to look up the information she was talking about,” Chalupka said.
As classes get more challenging the use of laptops will help students more, according to Chalupka
“I think I might use my laptop in one of my classes this year,” Chalupka said. “I have European politics and the teacher rambles out a lot of information really quick so if I could either record it on my computer or write out the notes while he is talking it might become more beneficial.”
The concern, say both professors and students, is that the laptops turn into a distraction.
“I think that there is a potential for distraction,” Beckwith said. “Because it is so easy for students to get online, it is so easy to check your e-mail, it is so easy to play games with it.”
There have been students who have been using electronic devices inappropriately, according to Logan.
“I have had experiences in the past where students are using their laptops inappropriately and I have had to speak to people about it,” Logan said.
“I know a lot of students use their laptops not for note taking really at all,” said Chalupka. “The other day I saw a girl buying plane tickets home. I have seen students Skyping, using Facebook, checking e-mail, and surfing eBay.”
Laptops can be a big distraction according to Chalupka.
“It is definitely a distraction for some people,” Chalupka said. “I think some people use it as an escape for class if they have a boring teacher; instead of paying attention and dealing with 50 minutes of boredom they bring out a laptop.”
“Most of the time laptops are a distraction to me because we all know we take notes but at the same time we all know we are on Facebook and checking our e-mail and messing around on the Internet,” Sarimento said.
Some students leave the laptop at home because it is a distraction.
“I never have used a laptop in class; they are too distracting,” said Babbe. Laptops make it hard to listen to teachers, he said.
“I just find that the last thing I want to do is listen to a teacher in class if I have a laptop in front of me that has access to the internet,” Babbe said. Plus, he adds, “With a laptop you have the screen in front of you so that is almost blocking your view of the teacher.”
Norwich doesn’t have a standard policy about use of technology in the classroom, and these two professors agree it should be left to the teacher.
“I think it should be at the discretion of the professor and it should depend on the students’ needs,” said Logan. Although there have been problems with students using electronic devices in class inappropriately, there shouldn’t be an NU rule that spells out the allowed uses of laptops, according to Logan.
The use of electronic devices in the classroom is a big issue according to Logan.
“I think it is an important issue,” Logan said. “It should be something the community talks about because we want to use the technology because it can bring so many benefits, but we want to use it right.”
Some electronic devices have been an asset in the classroom, according to Logan.
“Being able to access the library’s holdings, being able to access reputable sites on the internet, audio visual technology, there are all kinds of things that are helpful, but again it depends on what the information is that is being sought and what it is being used for,” Logan said.
Technology has caused distractions but at the same time has made great improvements, Babbe said.
“Things like PowerPoint, wireless Internet for streaming videos and showing presentations,” Babbe listed. “So it has added distractions but at the same time it has added positive stuff which cancels itself out.”