Laptop Policy Segment of First Class Materials

Jamie Lee Marks

on the laptop policy1. although students self-report otherwise, most current psychological

research has found that many that students using laptops are not on task during lectures (Kay & Lauricella, 2011; Kraushaar & Novak, 2010; Sovern, 2013), show decreased academic performance (Fried, 2008; Kraushaar & Novak, 2010), and are actually less satisfied with their education than their peers who do not use laptops in class (Wurst, Smarkola, & Gaffney, 2008).

2. This month, new research has shown “that laptop use can negatively affect performance on educational assessments, even—or perhaps especially—when the computer is used for its intended function of easier note taking” (Mueller & Oppenheimer 2014).

3. using laptops in class may be detrimental to the learning environment, and it definitely makes me feel like a YouTube video instead of like an educator– so, let’s just not.

citationsFried C. B. (2008). In-class laptop use and its effects on student learning. Computers & Education, 50, 906–914.

Kay R., Lauricella S. (2011). Exploring the benefits and challenges of using laptop computers in higher education classrooms: A formative analysis. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 37(1).

Kraushaar J. M., Novak D. C. (2010). Examining the affects of student multitasking with laptops during the lecture. Journal of Information Systems Education, 21, 241–251.

Mueller, PA & Oppenheimer, DM. (2014). The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking. Psychological Science. doi: 10.1177/0956797614524581

Sovern J. (2013). Law student laptop use during class for non-class purposes: Temptation v. incentives. University of Louisville Law Review, 51, 483–517.

Wurst C., Smarkola C., Gaffney M. A. (2008). Ubiquitous laptop usage in higher education: Effects on student achievement, student satisfaction, and constructivist measures in honors and traditional classrooms. Computers & Education, 51, 1766–1783.

it worked for these guys!

Note- I do not claim the rights to any of these photographs.

My 9 year old corgi had to settle for a life lived without a college degree.

It’s hard to find work outside the home, so now he dedicates his days to taste-testing, lounging, and couch surfing. It seems awful for him…

Kidding, but seriously– you’ll be fine. You can take notes the old fashioned way, and ignore me the old fashioned by if you like by simply not listening.

note for other instructors

I do upload talking points for each day into our course’s online site so students can come to class ready to discuss without feeling stressed.

I additionally upload a template for reading notes that they can fill out and bring to class in case they would rather not print out the readings but still want to participate in active discusison.