Douglas Olsen
Laptops are valuable learning tools for students, but some universities and instructors discourage or prohibit their use during lectures. The main argument against laptops in lectures is that they distract students and negatively impact learning. However, proponents of laptops in lectures argue that they provide immediate access to relevant information, improve organization, and allow students to view lecture slides and take notes more efficiently. While studies have shown a negative correlation between off-task laptop use and exam scores, class-related activities do not predict an increase in off-task use. This has led to a debate about whether the benefits of class-related laptop use outweigh the costs of off-task laptop activity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student laptop usage in universities | Allowed in some universities and courses, varies depending on the instructor |
| Reasons for allowing laptops | Students are already proficient at using laptops, laptops can improve learning, immediate access to relevant information, better collaborative learning environment, improved organization, easier to stay engaged during lectures |
| Reasons against allowing laptops | Distracts students during lectures, students spend time surfing the web or on social media, students learn more effectively when taking handwritten notes |
| Other considerations | Students may need to use a university-provided laptop for specific software or security requirements |
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What You'll Learn
Laptops as a distraction
Laptops are a common feature in university classrooms, with many students using them for academic and non-academic purposes. However, their use has sparked debates among educators and researchers about their impact on student learning outcomes.
One of the main concerns surrounding laptop use in universities is the potential for distraction. Students may be tempted to engage in off-task activities such as surfing the web, shopping online, visiting social media sites, playing games, or watching videos instead of focusing on the lecture. This non-academic use of laptops can negatively impact learning and exam scores. Social media sites and online video platforms have been identified as particularly disruptive to academic outcomes. Students themselves have admitted that boredom is a key reason for their digital device usage during classes.
The distraction caused by laptops can also extend beyond the individual user. Several studies have found that multitasking laptop users can distract their classmates, with students in the vicinity of a multitasking laptop user scoring worse on tests. This may be due to the visual and auditory stimuli from the laptop, or the perception of multitasking as a norm, leading students to divide their attention between the lecture and their devices.
Instructors have also raised concerns about the challenge of managing laptop use in the classroom. They argue that special software or policies may be needed to control and monitor students' laptop activities, ensuring they remain focused on academic tasks.
While laptops can provide benefits such as improved note-taking, access to lecture slides, and quick information lookup, the potential for distraction and negative impact on learning outcomes cannot be ignored. The key lies in balancing the benefits of laptop use with the need to minimise off-task distractions, ensuring that laptop usage in universities enhances rather than hinders the educational experience.
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Benefits of using laptops in class
Laptops are valuable learning tools for students, but some educational institutions and instructors discourage or prohibit their use. The primary argument against allowing laptops in class is that they distract students from lectures and course activities. However, the benefits of using laptops in class can far outweigh the drawbacks.
Improved Collaboration
With both students and teachers taking advantage of the internet and technology, laptops facilitate a better collaborative learning environment. Students can ask questions, compare notes, and share what they've learned more readily. They can also work together on group projects without having to meet in person, saving time and effort.
Enhanced Organization
Laptops help students keep track of their assignments, utilize online school calendars, and access relevant information more efficiently. Digital notes can be stored and backed up, reducing the risk of loss compared to paper notes. Laptops also reduce the need for paper notebooks, documents, and folders, making it easier for students to stay organized and leading to a more efficient learning experience.
Increased Engagement
The ability to quickly look up additional information during lectures can help students stay engaged, especially in today's fast-paced world with shorter attention spans. Students can also clarify facts or points of confusion without interrupting the instructor, and they may be more inclined to explore topics that interest them.
Better Feedback
Teachers can edit student papers digitally, providing more detailed and directed feedback. This enhances the educational process and allows for more efficient revision and improvement.
Greater Accessibility
Laptops provide students with immediate access to relevant information, allowing them to access course materials and conduct research from anywhere. This accessibility can be particularly beneficial for students who may have difficulty accessing traditional resources or prefer digital learning methods.
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Collaborative learning with laptops
While some educational institutions and instructors discourage or prohibit the use of laptops in the classroom, there are many benefits to using laptops for collaborative learning.
Collaborative learning can occur peer-to-peer or in larger groups. It involves students working in pairs or small groups to discuss concepts, find solutions to problems, and teach each other by addressing misunderstandings and clarifying misconceptions. Collaborative learning has been shown to lead to deeper learning and the development of higher-level thinking, oral communication, self-management, and leadership skills. It also promotes student-faculty interaction, increases student retention, self-esteem, and responsibility, and fosters an understanding of diverse perspectives.
Laptops can enhance collaborative learning by providing immediate access to relevant information. Students can quickly look up additional information during a lecture, which can help them stay engaged and contribute to the discussion. Laptops also enable the use of software programs and active learning tools such as video clips, PowerPoint presentations, and statistical analysis programs, which can enhance the learning experience. For example, in a study of video-based learning in higher education, it was found that laptops provided better results in terms of student engagement, collaborative behaviour, and satisfaction compared to smartphones. The larger screen size of laptops also offered more comfort for watching audiovisual content, and subtitles could be used to avoid audio interference between groups.
Instructors can support collaborative learning with laptops by providing copies of lecture materials before class, so students can spend less time writing and copying and more time engaging with the presentation. They can also encourage students to work together to find solutions to their issues before seeking assistance, fostering a sense of collaboration and independence.
However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks of allowing laptops in the classroom. There may be concerns about distractions, with students spending more time surfing the web or checking social media instead of paying attention. Additionally, some instructors believe that students retain information more effectively when taking handwritten notes. To mitigate these concerns, instructors can set clear expectations for laptop use and provide guidance on effective note-taking strategies.
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Handwritten notes vs typed notes
While some educational institutions and instructors discourage or prohibit the use of laptops in class, others argue that laptops serve as valuable learning tools for students. This discrepancy has sparked a debate about the advantages of handwritten notes versus typed notes.
Handwritten Notes
Handwriting notes is often a slower process, requiring more time and effort than typing. However, this slowness has its benefits. When taking notes by hand, individuals tend to be more selective about the information they record, processing and comprehending the content on a deeper level. Studies have shown that writing notes by hand improves memory and recall ability, and students who take handwritten notes during lectures tend to perform better on tests. Additionally, handwritten notes can help with organisation, as they eliminate the need for paper notebooks, documents, and folders, making it easier for students to stay organised.
Typed Notes
On the other hand, typing notes is faster and more efficient, allowing students to capture more information during lectures. Typed notes also offer the advantage of legibility, avoiding the issue of deciphering hurried handwriting. In addition, typed notes provide access to various tools, such as bolds, highlighters, and statistical analysis programs, enhancing the note-taking experience. For subjects requiring factual understanding, typed notes can be beneficial, as they allow students to quickly look up information during the lecture, clarifying points without interrupting the instructor.
Both handwritten and typed notes have their advantages. Handwritten notes promote deeper processing and better memory retention, while typed notes offer efficiency, legibility, and access to digital tools. Ultimately, the choice between handwritten and typed notes depends on individual preferences and learning styles. Some students may even choose to combine the two methods, taking advantage of the unique benefits of each approach.
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Legibility issues with handwritten notes
The use of laptops in classrooms has been a topic of debate among educators. While some institutions and instructors discourage or prohibit their use due to concerns about distractions and reduced retention of information, others argue that laptops provide valuable learning tools and can enhance the overall educational experience.
One of the primary concerns surrounding the use of laptops in top universities is the legibility of handwritten notes. Legibility issues with handwritten notes can arise from various factors, and these issues can have significant implications for students' academic performance and future success.
Firstly, poor teaching methods can contribute to illegible handwriting. Many teachers may lack proper training in teaching handwriting, leading to students' difficulty in forming and connecting letters correctly. Additionally, some students may have faster thinking processes than their handwriting speed, resulting in distorted letters and disorganized writing.
Another factor is the complexity of the task at hand. Free-writing tasks, for example, require students to generate ideas and produce legible writing simultaneously, which can be challenging. As a result, students may struggle to keep up with the lecture or fully express their thoughts, hindering their learning experience.
Furthermore, legibility issues can impact a student's grades and self-esteem. Assessors may mark work with poor legibility more harshly, leading to lower academic marks for the same content compared to more legible work. This can result in underachievement and negatively affect a student's confidence.
The use of laptops can help alleviate legibility issues by allowing students to type their notes quickly and efficiently. Students can also easily edit and organize their notes, making information retrieval more accessible and reducing the time spent on copying and writing. Additionally, laptops enable access to various software programs, such as statistical analysis tools and presentation software, further enhancing the learning experience.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the university and the lecturer. While some universities and instructors discourage or prohibit laptop use due to the potential for distraction, others allow it.
Laptops can serve as valuable learning tools for students. They provide immediate access to relevant information, allow students to quickly clarify facts without interrupting the instructor, and enable the use of software with active learning tools such as video clips and PowerPoint presentations. Additionally, students can view lecture slides on their laptops, which can improve information retention.
Allowing laptops in the classroom may lead to off-task laptop use, which can negatively impact learning and exam scores. The primary argument against allowing laptops is that they distract students during lectures, causing them to spend time surfing the web instead of paying attention.
The benefits of laptop use can outweigh the drawbacks in certain contexts. While off-task laptop use is associated with poorer course performance, studies have not separated laptop activity into off-task and class-related use, which may have obscured potential benefits from the latter. When both students and instructors take advantage of the internet and technology, they can experience a better collaborative learning environment.
To reduce potential distractions, instructors can supply copies of lecture materials before class so that students spend less time writing and copying during the lecture.
