Laptops in class?

**abe2010** · 08-08-2012, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

It's in most of the regular ISU classrooms. I use it every week, and it's awesome!

have you gone the extra mile and brought in colored chalk? that's how you know the prof cares

**CycloneErik** · 08-08-2012, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by abe2010

have you gone the extra mile and brought in colored chalk? that's how you know the prof cares

That's not in the grad student budget. Plain white chalk here.

**VeloClone** · 08-08-2012, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by RING4CY

What in the hell is that?!

**tm3308** · 08-08-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

I usually printed the power point slides if the professor uploaded them before the class and took additional notes on those.

This is the best way to go, IMO. I've tried computer notes, and it just doesn't cut it for me.

Using the power points allows you to focus more on the details that aren't on the slides, which can be the difference between a B and an A.

**CycloneNorth** · 08-08-2012, 05:16 PM

If you don't bring a laptop to class it's really hard to watch porn.

**Three4Cy** · 08-08-2012, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

This is when i liked when teachers would post their power point slides prior to class. Then i could use those and attach my notes right to them. Then when reviewing i had everything right there.

Good professors should never post their PPT prior to class, it defeats the whole purpose. All students do is print it off and don't take notes, and they don't pay attention to the lecture and read ahead. I usually give a participant guide or outline during the lecture so they at least know the points to be discussed.

As someone who has taught at the college level for the last 13 years, I never give out a PPT until after class because I want their undivided attention. The other thing is most of my PPT slides are pictures with one or two words on the slide, so seeing it ahead of time is a waste. Too many educators think PPT is a Word document and treat a slide in the same manner.

As for laptops, I banned them and tablets in my classes. You are there to learn, not screw around on your Facebook account, or any other website.

**cyclone1975** · 08-08-2012, 06:02 PM

The best thing you can do is disable your internet during class. If you find that you have to hit the button to re-enable your internet then the laptop should be closed and you can take out a piece of paper.

My best advice is that you take very good notes with your laptop (or by hand) and then, before you go to sleep that night, you re-read those notes to make sure they make sense. You will probably remember a couple things that didn't make it into the notes. So you can add them then. This should cut down on how much studying you need to do right before the exam.

**Jordanj6502** · 08-08-2012, 06:03 PM

I use a laptop for computer science and computer engineering classes... Basically programming classes. I used pen and paper for math, chemistry and physics. For other classes it depended on the teaching style and speed of the professor

**acoustimac** · 08-08-2012, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Payne

I'm getting stuff together to bring to campus, and I'm not sure if I should take class notes with my laptop or the traditional pen & paper. What's your experience with this been like? I've heard that laptop bans by professors is becoming a national trend. What about at Iowa State?

My favorite is actually using my ipad and a very cool app called Voice Pad. It records the lecture and has a note taking component (you can either type or use a stylus like a pen/pencil). Nice thing is that is syncs your notes with the audio recording so when you hear something you can see what notes you were taking or vice-versa.

**acoustimac** · 08-08-2012, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Three4Cy

Good professors should never post their PPT prior to class, it defeats the whole purpose. All students do is print it off and don't take notes, and they don't pay attention to the lecture and read ahead. I usually give a participant guide or outline during the lecture so they at least know the points to be discussed.

As someone who has taught at the college level for the last 13 years, I never give out a PPT until after class because I want their undivided attention. The other thing is most of my PPT slides are pictures with one or two words on the slide, so seeing it ahead of time is a waste. Too many educators think PPT is a Word document and treat a slide in the same manner.

As for laptops, I banned them and tablets in my classes. You are there to learn, not screw around on your Facebook account, or any other website.

Only ways I differ with you is that I like to employ (for some of my classes) the concept of the flipped class. I post my powerpoints (if I use them) and even video lectures online. Students are expected to review them and come to class with questions and prepared for indepth discussion. Allows me to move the lesson to much higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy that way. Very effective. We have an iPad lab and I provide my students with iPads for class. I keep them engaged enough that they don't have time to play around on the internet! Of course it all depends on the size of your classes too. Mine are never bigger than 25-27 (something we pride ourselves on!).

**Cycl1** · 08-08-2012, 07:17 PM

I was in Dif EQ once and a guy in row in front of me was playing command and conqueror. Both back rows were watching him play, the teacher came back, saw that he was playing a game, thanked him for coming to class, and let us all go early.

**Jordanj6502** · 08-08-2012, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Cycl1

I was in Dif EQ once and a guy in row in front of me was playing command and conqueror. Both back rows were watching him play, the teacher came back, saw that he was playing a game, thanked him for coming to class, and let us all go early.

I have been in a class that didn't take attendance with someone who spent the entire class watching a movie on their laptop with headphones on. I wanted to ask them why they even showed up to class...

**alarson** · 08-08-2012, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Three4Cy

Good professors should never post their PPT prior to class, it defeats the whole purpose. All students do is print it off and don't take notes, and they don't pay attention to the lecture and read ahead. I usually give a participant guide or outline during the lecture so they at least know the points to be discussed.

As someone who has taught at the college level for the last 13 years, I never give out a PPT until after class because I want their undivided attention. The other thing is most of my PPT slides are pictures with one or two words on the slide, so seeing it ahead of time is a waste. Too many educators think PPT is a Word document and treat a slide in the same manner.

As for laptops, I banned them and tablets in my classes. You are there to learn, not screw around on your Facebook account, or any other website.

A good professor is bringing so much more to their lecture than the powerpoint slides that the powerpoint slides just bring a basis for organizing one's notes.

And also, you shouldn't worry about whether students are paying attention or not. You are providing them the opportunity to learn. Some learn with their laptops, some choose to screw around. It is their money, their time, and their decision. Absolutely hated the professors who banned laptops in their classes.

**farminclone** · 08-08-2012, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

I usually printed the power point slides if the professor uploaded them before the class and took additional notes on those.

Highly suggest this. I love it when profs put ppt slides on the class website.

If they didnt do that, I take notes the old fashioned way. Then when test time came around I would type up a nice neat study guide to study off of.

**farminclone** · 08-08-2012, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Three4Cy

Good professors should never post their PPT prior to class, it defeats the whole purpose. All students do is print it off and don't take notes, and they don't pay attention to the lecture and read ahead. I usually give a participant guide or outline during the lecture so they at least know the points to be discussed.

As someone who has taught at the college level for the last 13 years, I never give out a PPT until after class because I want their undivided attention. The other thing is most of my PPT slides are pictures with one or two words on the slide, so seeing it ahead of time is a waste. Too many educators think PPT is a Word document and treat a slide in the same manner.

As for laptops, I banned them and tablets in my classes. You are there to learn, not screw around on your Facebook account, or any other website.

I completely disagree with your philosophy on PPT slides. The prof should bring more to the lecture, with the slides being a general outline to guide off of. If students really just print off the slides and don't pay attention, it should be reflected in their grades on tests because they missed the "meat" of the lecture.

I don't mind the ban, as I think if you are going to class you might as well learn. But once again, if they really sat on FB the whole time, that is your fault and it will reflect in your poor grades.