tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post8534937623095500284..comments2024-03-25T19:00:40.046-06:00Comments on The Constructive Curmudgeon: Banning Laptops in the ClassroomDouglas Groothuis, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-59234929070209320172011-05-04T12:33:47.263-06:002011-05-04T12:33:47.263-06:00I think saying people in the past were better thin...I think saying people in the past were better thinkers, reasoners, and writers is a bit arrogant Mr. Beckwith. There are many brilliant young minds writing and reasoning at incredibly high levels with use of a laptop. Originality of ideology is no indication of intellectual capacity. Students who want to learn will always learn. Those who do not, will not.<br /><br />I am a university (philosophy major) student and I use a laptop in every class. I just don't connect to the internet is all. My ability to type fast allows me to take notes incredibly quick and then think about what's being said and ask questions without worrying about missing notes. <br /><br />With that said, I'm also perfectly comfortable with a notebook and pen. Good article. I love Postman's book, and agree with the sentiment for the most part, though I do see advantages from my laptop.Griffin Gulledgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12800625485230700174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-8594352131043329282011-05-02T21:28:44.232-06:002011-05-02T21:28:44.232-06:00How's this for irony. I read this article in m...How's this for irony. I read this article in my Greek class!<br /><br />~GlennGlenn Hendricksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16662000355170690720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-15776915288183373172011-05-02T21:23:48.609-06:002011-05-02T21:23:48.609-06:00Here's the problem for the laptop supporters: ...Here's the problem for the laptop supporters: Why is that people in the past--with none of the technology we have today--were better thinkers, reasoners, and writers?Francis Beckwithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03765632359220115150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-28284032598497558772011-05-02T14:40:52.380-06:002011-05-02T14:40:52.380-06:00I think I am going to join you in the outright ban...I think I am going to join you in the outright ban Doug. More mischief than help is what is happening and I think the suggestion from your one commentator is excellent - with the advent of so many smart phone apps almost everyone can record the class. So if there is any problem with taking notes the student can have the opportunity to catch up later. Of course the phone rule will have to be almost as strict - set it on record and leave it alone, lest the text monster eat the student whole!Bill Honsbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04836300411894206079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-47516144563722972022011-05-02T14:13:18.586-06:002011-05-02T14:13:18.586-06:00At the beginning of my time in seminary, I took no...At the beginning of my time in seminary, I took notes on my laptop. Now, this was before our campus got wifi, and I am of a good sort, so the outside distractions were minimal. But I began to notice that concerns over the formatting of my notes distracted me to the point that I could no longer pay adequate attention: I banned myself from laptops. I now take notes in a Moleskine and my smartphone is in my pocket. As a result, class time is much more productive. Good to hear of a prof helping students put down the distractions.Laura Springerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10920102860381840156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-35895848853865840962011-05-02T14:07:47.175-06:002011-05-02T14:07:47.175-06:00I think at least PCs, not Macs should be banned. I...I think at least PCs, not Macs should be banned. I am serious. When I attended lectures at seminary it was the PC's cacophonous keyboards that were distracting. Mac keyboards are very quiet but PC keyboards broke my concentration all the time. It was annoying.Alan E. Kurschnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08963783504805163298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-56393643324085786902011-05-02T08:23:43.630-06:002011-05-02T08:23:43.630-06:00So how do you deal with our post-laptop society? W...So how do you deal with our post-laptop society? Will you amend your policy to ban tablets as well?<br />I've been considering applying to the philosophy program there and were I to take seminary classes, I would probably invest in something like the HTC Flyer which would let me record and take handwritten notes and keep them in sync together. Just curious what your take on this would be. Do you allow audio recorders in your class?Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16934395011113767914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-63017778517189111392011-05-02T07:26:00.279-06:002011-05-02T07:26:00.279-06:00I would encourage you to read "Everything Bad...I would encourage you to read "Everything Bad is Good for You" by Steven Johnson. It just may give you a different perspective on multi-tasking and internet use in today's culture.<br /><br />I am finishing up a doctorate now and have 10 years of post high-school education under my belt. I am very much an auditory learner and sitting for lectures has never proved a problem - I learn best through this format. There are others, however, that do not learn best through this "you sit and listen to me" teaching style. Often, these students do just as well on tests because they are visual learners (they read the book and learn the material). <br /><br />Unfortunately, most of my professors have used the lecture format exclusively in their classrooms. This is great for auditory learners but not as effective for visual learners!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-30014607016512942162011-05-02T06:22:53.323-06:002011-05-02T06:22:53.323-06:00What you say is true. My daughter is getting read...What you say is true. My daughter is getting ready to go to a strong Evangelical university where I think the presence of a laptop is almost expected. I will certainly have her read this article for her to consider the ramifications. I would hate for her to miss one moment of interaction that can take place in a classroom setting where the Holy Spirit is working. (Don't these students who multitask realize that they are paying for these classes?)<br /><br />I teach at a Bible college in Brazil. Our students don't bring laptops to class because they don't have them. I never saw this in such a positive light as I do now. They are able to get their assignments printed from computers so they have access but they don't have portable ones. I never realized what a blessing that was for me as a teacher and for them as students. Thanks for the insights. And if in the future it comes to that, each student bringing a laptop, I know exactly what I am going to do. : )Grace from Brazilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14343664893449432086noreply@blogger.com