Law professor bans laptops in class, over student protest

[username]

From: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006- ... OE=TECISVA

"My main concern was they were focusing on trying to transcribe every word that was I saying, rather than thinking and analyzing,"

I was wondering... aren't most students copying everything from the board (or anything used) in this University ? I don't find it good and that professor actually banned the use of laptops for similar reason.

Do you think that with hand-written notes there isn't a problem while there is with laptops ?

[Steveo]

I don't write the notes down, they're available online, I comment on them.

I don't think banning laptops is the best way to solve a problem she's having, but he's right - people do just copy notes down too blindly.

[hr]

Set your goals way too high so I can laugh when you fail.

[Haunted]

Quoting Steveo from 22:23, 22nd Mar 2006
...to solve a problem she's having, but he's right - people do just copy notes down too blindly.

Sounds like (s)he has enough problems already

[Iain]

Blind copying happens far too often. Heck if you can touch-type at sixty a minute or so then why not use a laptop to copy what's up on the board and scribble diagrams on a separate sheet?

Bet the lecturer is just paranoid about people playing solitaire and watching movies in class!

[hr]

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~snpsoc

[A66]

Personaly I see the lectuer's point. I have a grand total of about 3 side of lecture notes from my 3 years here. I'll sit listen and understand in lectures it far more intresting and you do get a better understanding as you generate your own thoughts and linkeages not just the lecturers.

Oh and laptops in lectures should be banned wuring (sp?) and people argh I could kill them sometimes

[The Dude]

I think there is a misunderstanding between different educational systems. While in the UK teaching is mainly done in a lecture format, in the US there is a greater emphasis on the seminar format. Laptops are fine in a lecture where you are simply copying information to analyse later. In a seminar or tutorial though where you are expected to provide permanent and creative comments on the discussion I can see how a laptop can be a problem in creating discussion. If everybody at a table is concentrating at the screen instead of each other it certainly cuts down on the effectiveness of the discussion.

[exnihilo]

A lecture is where the notes of the professor become the notes of the student without passing through the brain of either.

Or, at least, a bad lecture is. A good lecture shouldn't be about copying down what's being said, it should be about paying attention to lines of reasoning and making pertinent notes.

Notes. Not transcriptions.

Ban them. All that clicking, tapping and beeping is deeply distracting to a lecturer.

[novium]

Not that I often get the opportunity to, given my computer, but I prefer typing for taking notes. I can type a hell of a lot faster than I can write, and then at least I can ready my notes. And i'm not trying to keep a transcript. But i can't tell you how many times my notes will be something like:
"_______ invaded Place, 650 BC, led to _____ renouncing the thingie and then doing the very important thing"

Because while trying to keep up with jotting down the absolutely key information, I'm not quite fast enough to get it all down before slippery things like weird names in greek that I barely heard escape me. The professors will be great. the lectures fascinating. But I would prefer to type, if I could, because i'm better at taking notes (actual notes) that way.

[hr]

"those who wish to be feared must inevitably be afraid of those whom they intimidate"
"In anger nothing right or judicious can be done."

[Smith]

i can type a shitload faster than i can write, in fact, i often have trouble in exams because i can't seem to write quick enough.

maybe i should apply for disability or something

[hr]

Cake, and fine wine.