Comments on: Laptops vs. Learning

by: Kirklan Moss

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:53:23 +0000

Thank you so much for that article, Alex and Brett. I have seen so many friends get “sucked in” to their respective gadgets and what not, and it can be distracting even for those who are not using laptops. However, my response to this problem would be a mite different. While I would definitely still give the warning, I would also encourage young men and women to learn to use the resources available to the best advantage, instead of turning to them simply as a distraction. As the husbandmen of creation, it is our job to use the resources (yes, including laptops) that we have been given to the glory and edification of God. Finis.

by: Emily

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:49:00 +0000

This is a good subject for me because, Lord-willing, in 2 years, I’ll be in college. I feel that for me it would be good, because I am a quick typer and when I write I can’t write for long because my hands start to hurt and I can’t keep up. I am one that would be paying for college myself and so wasting time not paying attention in class would be wasting time and money that I don’t have a lot of. I also have read some of the articles and see that it is distracting to others in the class. So it is definitely something I would be praying about. I have a laptop, but it’s for school use, as I’m homeschooled, and when I graduate I have to turn it it. So getting my own laptop may be a challenge as well. It’s all in God’s timing though and I trust He will help me decide.
~Emily

by: Bobb Banar

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:18:56 +0000

I also believe that computer usage whilst listening to a lecture or speech is inappropriate and distracting. Being homeschooled my laptop is a source of much needed information and other school related works but I never use it during school hours without working on it directly with the subject at hand. Laptops provide much fun and help, but there is no place for them in the middle of an academic lecture or discourse.

by: Tabitha

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:20:43 +0000

Yeah, that’s why I want to learn shorthand. It’s so much faster than writing the notes out in English letters.

by: Ritika

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:39:44 +0000

I diasgree with your argument that using laptops for taking notes in class puts you in the stenographer’s mode trying to jot down the teacher’s words word for word. I’ve studied both abroad where people use laptops and in India where everyone generally writes notes by hand. I am used to both techniques, and having written notes by hand for 23 years. I have to say, me and most people in my class in India would all get into the stenographic mode. So its no different from the laptop technique really. We hardly ever made eye contact with the teacher, missed out on questions, so busy were we writing our notes out by hand in our efforts to “kep up” with the teacher, and added to that the physical pain your hand was in at the end of each lesson! I think in this case, the onus lies on the teacher to teach in such a way that he/she outlines the basic concepts and encourages the students to think rather than drone on in lecture mode. But then again, that’s why a lecture is a lecture and a seminar is a seminar.

by: James

Fri, 18 May 2007 11:11:04 +0000

Although I don’t start college till this coming fall, I had the privilege of taking a month of summer school last summer to get an early start on college credits. I took a laptop to class for taking notes and found it very helpful, but I did not generally have the internet distraction, as I turned my wireless off to save battery life (2 2 hour classes…) so that eliminates that problem. Taking notes typing helps my because I can type faster than I can write, and you would not want to have to try to read later what I try to write fast…

I think I pretty much agree with MM who posted just before mine… The classes I used my laptop for notes were classes with 90% lecture. No one size fits all: they can be a tremendous aid, but must be used with care to avoid distraction.

by: MM

Wed, 09 May 2007 00:24:46 +0000

As in every class, consult with the instructor! Ask him or her for their recommendation/preference about laptops when you consult with them about the best practices in general for their course. Do this at the beginning of the term.

With a little discipline, one can always turn off all functions but the MS Word program when using the laptop in the classroom.

I find that taking notes on a laptop is indispensable for the following courses: 1) survey courses 2) courses in which there is a lot of lecturing 3) courses that will culminate in a final that will require the organization of large amounts of material and 4) courses which offer information that you will want to refer back to quickly and easily in the future. As a former law student, my laptop was TRULY indispensable for all of these tasks.

On the other hand, WRITE your notes for 1) smaller, more focused courses and 2) courses that are run like a seminar and require conversation. Writing your notes does help you to retain information when dealing with more detailed material, and writing your notes in a small group seminar is more courteous than peering around a laptop screen at your colleagues.

Interesting issue here, fellow luddites.

by: Daniel Osborne

Fri, 04 May 2007 06:49:53 +0000

As a computer science major (without a laptop… go figure), I think it can be very helpful when it comes to taking notes. I would much rather take notes on my computer (at least for some classes). The problem comes when one uses the laptop as a distraction from listening to the teacher. Laptops are not common in classes at my school. We usually have one or two in a 30 student class. I don’t think laptops should be banned from classes, but I do think teachers should specify what can and cannot be done during class. I know a few teachers that don’t allow laptops in their classes, and I think that is a good way of handling it. I don’t think it should be a school-wide thing though. Another thing to consider is that the people behind the person using the laptop can be easily distracted by what the person is doing on the laptop. I guess it is a maturity issue. If you can stay focused with a laptop in front of you, then go for it! If not, have the self control to not bring your laptop to class, and focus. Remember why we go to school and learn this stuff. It is ultimately to glorify Christ! With this view in mind, doing our best at school will come naturally.

by: Beth

Wed, 02 May 2007 19:26:25 +0000

I think if you type better than you write and you don’t get sidetracked easily, laptops are great!!, for those kind of ppl. When it comes to a classroom and trying to solve the problem of banding laptops it helps some but hurts others.. but to ppl that laptops become a problem… think about it, it pretty much a blame on their own self-control.
They could blame it on paper..cuz they where doodling!! but yeah…

by: Daniel Impson

Wed, 02 May 2007 15:15:22 +0000

I know that a lot of people misuse technology for instant messaging and other things. Not all of us do, and to say that laptops are bad is just SNF. LOL.