Laptops in the Classroom Essay

The article â€Å"Laptops in the Classroom? No Problem† by Elena Choy is started with a great quote that makes the readers think about their instructor . â€Å"A teacher is someone who never says anything once (106). † Choy puts up an argument about whether or not laptop computers should be banned in the classroom. She also made it known that some professors may need to reevaluate their teaching techniques. Most professors feel that laptops in class today have become a huge distraction in the learning environment. Some students choose to use their laptop for other reasons other than taking notes. Students who choose to play games during class are obviously bored with the material or the teacher. This is becoming a problem in many classrooms today. Choy’s views on students with laptops do not have an effect on her teaching, and other professors should not let it distract them from doing their job. First, Choy really tries to see both sides of the story in this situation. She came up with some points on what most professors think about the subject. There were top four reasons for banning laptops in classrooms due to Choy’s research and experience. Choy’s reasons were â€Å"(1) the upraised lids of laptops distract the instructor, and they often prevent the instructor from making eye contact with the students;(2) laptops distract other students, who cannot help but see what is on the screens—-for example Facebook and twitter;(3) students who use laptops to take notes, take overly extensive notes, which means that they are doing stenography and are not really focused and thinking about what is going on in the classroom; (4) most students are so busy taking notes on their laptop do not participate in whatever discussion there may be in the course (106). † Choy has made it clear that in her class, there are only a select few who use laptops. She feels that if the students choose to take notes on their laptops and play games, then that is their choice. Choy’s does her job, she feels it is up to the student to pay attention and learn. Different students have different ways of learning. Based on Choy’s knowledge, she thinks that students take notes the best way they can. Some prefer to take shorthanded notes, while others prefer long detailed notes. Choy provided reasons and supporting information to get both parties’ points across. Last, â€Å"Laptop’s in the Classroom? No problem† is an essay that many professors around the globe can relate to. She makes the reader think about the situation from both sides. There were things that she said that most readers could really relate to. In some of my classes, most instructors say that they prefer students with laptops to sit in the back of the class or not have them at all. However, some students feel that teachers should not make students sit in the back just because of their note taking methods. Choy made a point about the teacher needs to stop worrying so much about the student’s laptop and focus on their lecture. Although, some teachers think that banning laptops will help the classroom’s atmosphere, it might do the opposite. Laptops are being perceived as distractions in the classrooms, when they have actually become helpful to some students. Choy has provided information to show both sides of the arguments. She did an excellent job on not taking one side. Choy thought that many professors should ask a hard question: If students in my courses are using laptops for purposes unrelated to the course, what am I doing wrong? Choy said that teachers should just do the jobs that they are being paid to do which is teach. Students are there to learn and it is up to them to do it. So if the laptops are banned, students will most likely have another form of entertainment in class, such as a cell phone or an Ipod. This argument over banning laptops can easily be solved by students and teachers playing their parts. Work Cited Choy, Elena. Laptops in the Classroom? No Problem. The Little, Brown Reader 2008. 106.