Law Professor Bans Laptops in Class

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: Babbles
I think that if students rely on a laptop for their education, then they are totally missing the point in regards to learning. Additionally there is a larger life lesson that these students have managed to gloriously miss: life isn't fair, you don't always get your way.

Don't tell me you honestly believe that. By that logic, people that rely on any new technology to replace the older accepted methodology are missing out on something, and that is utter B.S. As for the "life isn't fair" bit, that is true. However, that doesn't mean we should just sit around and accept everything that happens, either.

 

[Cooler]

Professor can?t Ban them if student has disability it would be dissemination same with tape recorder. I my self have terrible hand writing disability and unless I type it is totally un readable even to me.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Student Cory Winsett says if he must continue without his laptop, he'll transfer to another school. Winsett says he won't be able to keep up if he has to rely on hand-written notes, which he says are incomplete and less organized."

^^ pathetic.

i was thinking the same thing when i got to this part of the article
i suppose i can understand the bitching, but going through the hassle of transfering just seems a little extreme

 

[aphex]

I've had 2-3 prof's in law school that "banned" laptops from class. As a matter of fact, i did better in each of those classes as a result

 

[Gibson486]

I remember i used to use my laptop during my data structures and algorthms class. I learned nothing b/c I psent teh whole time playing games onmy ROM emulator. One timea bunch of us even played CS I am so lucky I got a C in that class.......

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Ryan
The typing and clicking of the keyboard is a major disruption. I've only had one guy try to use a laptop in my classes - the stares of distraction from other students were enough to make him not use it again.

I've had classes of 300 students and 7 students. There was usually at least one person with a laptop in each class, and it was never a problem. Keyboards are quiet now. I can type faster than I can write, and no one has ever looked at me, nor at anyone else using a laptop. It should definitely be an option.

 

[Baltazar325]

I had about 10 hours of class with Professor Entman at Memphis and she is one of the best and most demanding teachers I've ever had. I feel she has the right to do whatever she wants in class. Most of the people I know that had laptops just played on the internet or played games. The are some folks that also have not learned the ability to type on a keyboad instead of bang on it like a drunken monkey. It can be distracting. These kids are just babies and think that law school is the end all be all of the world. Wait until they get out into practice and find out that they didnt actually learn anything in lawschool and have to spend the next year learning to actually practice law.

 

[Phlargo]

Being a current law student, currently in a class of 50 people, two-thirds of which are using notebooks in class, I feel that computer usage in classes is adventageous to those who make it as such.

My keyboard is so quiet, it wouldn't distract anyone. Nobody I know looks at porn during class. Some people play games and browse the internet. Some people browse the internet for purposes relevant to the class. I've bailed my prof. out of difficult questions many times by having an internet connection and a quick search at hand.

Law students are no worse than anyone else. In fact, some of the best community minded citizens I've ever met have been practicing attorneys and other students in my school. Granted, I go to a school which encourages a more cooperative learning environment (it's a 2nd tier school, so it doesn't quite have the competitive nature of the top 10).

Most importantly - I use a notebook, because I never learned to use hand writing as a primary form of recording data. I'm slow writing by hand, I don't know cursive at all any more and I type 2-3 times faster than most people could ever write. When a professor has forced us to use hand writing on a exam (the only time I've had to hand write anything for a good 10 years, other than minor notes or margin notes in my texts), it's been a huge disadvantage to me.

If I had to take the bar exam (which, among other requirements, requires 6, 1 hour essays) by hand, I would do significantly worse because of the types of stresses and physical challenge accompanying doing that much hand writing. You can argue all you want that I'm weak or pansy or whatever.

The truth is - I don't use handwriting in my life. I have no need for it. And it generally only makes my life easier. Even in my mind, writing by hand is a vestige - many elementary schools no longer teach cursive writing.

Computers are a natural companion to learning. The internet is even more so. It's okay for a single prof to do it, but understand it comes at a cost - some students are going to learn less and perform worse in the class. It's no longer some fringe technology - I'm sure the amount of typed data far exceeds the total amount of hand written data today. It's part of our world.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: DougK62
Laptops are the students' favorite cheating toy. No wonder they don't like them banned.

apparently you have never taken a law school exam on a laptop. they use software that locks the computer to prevent cheating

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: DaShen
What do you expect from a bunch of students studying to be lawyers? Of course they are going to be petty about it.
I enjoy typing rather tahn writing myself -- less wear on my hands, but oh well.

its not a matter of being petty. my laptop crashed two days ago and after seeing hand typed civ pro notes, i had to go out and buy the machine i am typing on right now because the quality of the notes wasnt even comparable

 

[Baked]

They're using it to IM, watch dumb videos, and surf pr0n anyway. Stop complaining so much.

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Teacher makes a lot of sense. I never even took notes in class on a paper pad or anything. I just listened closely and engaged in discussions. I'm sure I got more out of my classes than people busy dictating the teachers every word.

That said, WTF does she care if kids aren't getting anything out of the class......fail them if they didn't learn the stuff and get back to your grant proposal.

I'm sure everybody has photographic memory like you do.:roll:

 

[jtvang125]

How is this any different from a teacher/professor prohibiting the use of calculators or notes during a test? The decision should be at the discretion of the professor.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Ryan

Originally posted by: Horus

Originally posted by: swimscubasteve
"MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A University of Memphis law professor has banned laptop computers from her classroom and her students are passing a petition against it.

Professor June Entman says her main concern is that students are so busy keyboarding they can't think and analyze what she's telling them.

Students have begun collecting signatures on petitions and tried unsuccessfully to file a complaint with the American Bar Association.

Student Cory Winsett says if he must continue without his laptop, he'll transfer to another school. Winsett says he won't be able to keep up if he has to rely on hand-written notes, which he says are incomplete and less organized."


link



talk about a sense of entitlement

You're an idiot. By typing on my laptop, I'm able to keep up WAY faster on my notes. I don't THINK about typing, it comes naturally. Therefore, I'm able to have much more coherent thoughts, and am able to think much quicker.

Nevermind that you're a huge distraction to the rest of the class.

LOL, if a future lawyer is distracted by his classmates typing on a laptop, he is prolly in the wrong field

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
How is this any different from a teacher/professor prohibiting the use of calculators or notes during a test? The decision should be at the discretion of the professor.

Because it's not an exam.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
How is this any different from a teacher/professor prohibiting the use of calculators or notes during a test? The decision should be at the discretion of the professor.

it is in the discretion of the professor. and just like any thing else, the students have a right to petition the decision for review by an academic dean

on a side note, i think transferring schools is a bit extreme since this is only one class

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

Originally posted by: DougK62
Laptops are the students' favorite cheating toy. No wonder they don't like them banned.

apparently you have never taken a law school exam on a laptop. they use software that locks the computer to prevent cheating

Examsoft is so freaking annoying

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

Originally posted by: DougK62
Laptops are the students' favorite cheating toy. No wonder they don't like them banned.

apparently you have never taken a law school exam on a laptop. they use software that locks the computer to prevent cheating

Examsoft is so freaking annoying

agreed, but a necessary precaution IMO. Last semester, it didnt let me upload any of my exams, i had to bust out the USB floopy :laugh:

 

[TitanDiddly]

I hate the sense of entitlement in america.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: Babbles
I think that if students rely on a laptop for their education, then they are totally missing the point in regards to learning. Additionally there is a larger life lesson that these students have managed to gloriously miss: life isn't fair, you don't always get your way.

Don't tell me you honestly believe that. By that logic, people that rely on any new technology to replace the older accepted methodology are missing out on something, and that is utter B.S. As for the "life isn't fair" bit, that is true. However, that doesn't mean we should just sit around and accept everything that happens, either.

Apparently you too miss the point of learning. If you, or rather these students, feel the need (and yes they imply they do need to have these laptops, else they would not be petitioning and seeking guidance from the ABA) to have their laptop to learn, then they are totally missing the point of an education. Additionally I think you are completely wrong about your assumption and you frankly don't understand my point. Even though it was not my point at all, however learning "older accepted methodology" can be quite valuable and more importantly it stresses the concept of learning certain fundamentals to better appreciate the "newer" technology. These students are, obviously I think, so dependent on these tools that they essentially became a crutch, or an unnecessary distraction, for them to a new level of stupidity.

Furthermore there is a significant difference between just "accepting everything" (way to go with broad generalizations, bud) and compiling with a professor's instructions. People have learned in the past without a laptop, some are learning now without a laptop, and I can guarantee in the near future students will learn without a laptop. As such, it is indeed not a necessity and should not cause the students to, essentially, make a big fuss over nothing.

For the most part I think having access to a laptop during a lecture is all well and good, however I also perfectly understand why on occasion a professor may not allow them. I suppose for me it just boils down to how I just can't believe these students, who wish to become lawyers, are so stuck up on themselves they are willing to make a huge mess over a very, very minor situation. Frankly these students should be absolutely embarrassed of themselves for calling national attention to this idiocy.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: Cooler
Professor can?t Ban them if student has disability it would be dissemination same with tape recorder. I my self have terrible hand writing disability and unless I type it is totally un readable even to me.

You're kidding... right?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: Cooler
Professor can?t Ban them if student has disability it would be dissemination same with tape recorder. I my self have terrible hand writing disability and unless I type it is totally un readable even to me.

You're kidding... right?

Are there really people who can type, but can't handwrite? I don't LIKE handwriting, and I'm slow at it, but I can certainly do it.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: Cooler
Professor can?t Ban them if student has disability it would be dissemination same with tape recorder. I my self have terrible hand writing disability and unless I type it is totally un readable even to me.

You're kidding... right?

Are there really people who can type, but can't handwrite? I don't LIKE handwriting, and I'm slow at it, but I can certainly do it.

I know, it's called being 'sloppy'.

 

[Strk]

I think it's lame not to allow laptops during class. While some may say "use a pen and paper," well, why? A little sage advice from an old show "we have the technology." I don't find an issue banning them from tests, but during lectures they can be invaluable to students. I type infinitely faster than I write and, more importantly, I can completely ignore the screen as I type. If I write, and I'm sure there are plenty of others in the same boat, I will miss a lot trying to keep up as I take handwritten notes.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: Babbles
Apparently you too miss the point of learning. If you, or rather these students, feel the need (and yes they imply they do need to have these laptops, else they would not be petitioning and seeking guidance from the ABA) to have their laptop to learn, then they are totally missing the point of an education. Additionally I think you are completely wrong about your assumption and you frankly don't understand my point. Even though it was not my point at all, however learning "older accepted methodology" can be quite valuable and more importantly it stresses the concept of learning certain fundamentals to better appreciate the "newer" technology. These students are, obviously I think, so dependent on these tools that they essentially became a crutch, or an unnecessary distraction, for them to a new level of stupidity.

I don't think anyone claimed that they "needed" a laptop to learn, but rather it should be up to each student to decide whether or not a laptop would be a useful tool in lectures. As I stated before, I see no reason why a professor should have any control over what tools are used in a lecture, so long as they don't interfere with the education of the other students. Professors are providing a service paid for by the students. Perhaps they should start teaching with that in mind.

Originally posted by: Babbles
Furthermore there is a significant difference between just "accepting everything" (way to go with broad generalizations, bud) and compiling with a professor's instructions. People have learned in the past without a laptop, some are learning now without a laptop, and I can guarantee in the near future students will learn without a laptop. As such, it is indeed not a necessity and should not cause the students to, essentially, make a big fuss over nothing.

So...? The same argument could be used for every technological advancement ever conceived by mankind, but that doesn't make it a good argument.

Originally posted by: Babbles
For the most part I think having access to a laptop during a lecture is all well and good, however I also perfectly understand why on occasion a professor may not allow them. I suppose for me it just boils down to how I just can't believe these students, who wish to become lawyers, are so stuck up on themselves they are willing to make a huge mess over a very, very minor situation. Frankly these students should be absolutely embarrassed of themselves for calling national attention to this idiocy.

Perhaps they too see the larger picture, which boils down to the absurd elitist attitude that propagates through professors and administrators on just about every college campus.

 

[Phlargo]

Originally posted by: mwtgg

Originally posted by: Cooler
Professor can?t Ban them if student has disability it would be dissemination same with tape recorder. I my self have terrible hand writing disability and unless I type it is totally un readable even to me.

You're kidding... right?

I do too. I can't write by hand more than about a page without terrible pain... for several days if I have to write more.