No laptops in class, seriously?

[mothersuess]

Just wondering if this is standard policy now that many laptops come equipped with recording devices? I purchased a laptop specifically for note taking when I began a 2 year nursing program in fall 2007. I am now in the first semester of the 2nd year and we've been told it's a new policy that we're not allowed to use laptops in class. I have never used my computer's recording device to record a lecture (I really doubt it's high quality enough to pick up a lecture, anyway) and I would gladly let my instructor verify this after each class, if necessary.

Does this sound like a common policy or is this another sign that our nursing program is a joke? I'd like to see how the nursing faculty would survive if their computers were pulled from them. I also find it almost laughable that in a world where health care is becoming increasingly dependent on computers, and computer proficiency is becoming a job requirement for nurses, that we're not allowed to use this technology in our classrooms.

I'm so frustrated...do you think it would be worth the effort to fight this new policy? I'm not sure it would do us much good because our faculty is pretty closed minded. Any suggestions?

[JettaDP]

You should probably find out what the reasons are behind the ban of laptops. They wouldn't pull the laptops away if there wasn't a legitimate reason.

At my school, we are not allowed to use our laptops unless everyone in the class is going ot use them. The tapping of keys are extremely annoying when you're not the one doing it. And the noise can be distracting. It's the same thing as someone who clicks their pens. But if everyone else in my class was tapping away at their laptops I would too.

Not to mention, as mature as I wish everyone is, there are simply too many people who don't care enough about their education. And instead of taking notes, they sit there and play games. I'm an in no way saying that you would do this, but it is a possible reason for them not allowing laptops anymore.

And I do agree with you that we will be using all kinds of technology in this field and it is important to be able to be proficient at it. But I doubt they are taking away the laptops to hinder your technology knowledge. I think it is mainly a distraction issue.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Laptops are very distracting in class. Not only with keys tapping, but people sending e-mail, IMs, looking at FaceBook, Myspace, etc, in the row right in front of you.

VERY distracting.

One of our instructors told students they could bring them, but one observation/complaint of someone 'surfing' during lecture and they will be banned from class permanently.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

That would be my issue....the fact that a student could be playing game/emailing/hooking to college's wireless internet...etc. There is nothing wrong with notetaking..good luck. You'll be fine.

[llg, PhD, RN]

A lot of schools are limiting laptop use (not just in nursing programs) for many of the same reasons given above. Students are also finding ways to sneak videos of their professors and posting them for purposes of ridicule, etc. Schools are trying to prevent that sort of thing -- and trying to keep students focused on the class on not on their laptop.

[justme1972]

Our classroom bans laptops but not recorders.

Reason...it would be very distracting to hear 50 students with the rat-a-tat-tat going on for 2 hours of lecture.

They give us pre-prepared notes and we just add to them.

[mothersuess]

Funny, I've never heard anyone complain about the tapping of the keys. As a matter of fact, it's something I asked about before bringing mine to class. The reasons I've heard are the recording devices and possibly, internet use...though, I really don't see how that could be such a distraction to others. Heck, I'm paying for the class, it's really up to me how I spend the time. (Yes, I've checked email during class, but only during my current class where the instructor gets off track all the time and I feel justified doing other things while she talks about her life and other things that have absolutely nothing to do with pediatric nursing) I've seen other people on the internet and I honestly don't see how this could be distracting. Maybe having 3 little ones has really given me the ability to block out all distractions.

Our program has many, many faults, but it's good to know that this new policy is more common than I would have thought.

Thanks for your replies.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

I find laptop users EXTREMELY annoying. Not only is the tapping noisy but if your behind on the screen itself is a distraction.

Most laptop users in my class have stopped using them as it doesn't really give them an advantage as they just copy the slides verbatim and don't try and write key concepts in their own words.

[mothersuess]

I find laptop users EXTREMELY annoying. Not only is the tapping noisy but if your behind on the screen itself is a distraction.

Most laptop users in my class have stopped using them as it doesn't really give them an advantage as they just copy the slides verbatim and don't try and write key concepts in their own words.

Not really sure what your saying about "behind on the screen itself?" I usually sit in the back row with my computer, I started doing this because I thought if the tapping was going to be distracting, it would be less so if I were in the back. I'm also a very good typist, and feel that I am able to use my laptap keyboard making very minimal sound, my keyboard doesn't make much more noise than my pen does when I'm writing. I've always tried to be considerate of others when using my computer, but this is obviously not the norm for everyone.

As far as typing the slides word for word, my current instructor does not use slides (but as I previously mentioned, she's pretty horrible and spends a lot of the class talking about things that don't relate to the class) anyways, I have never typed slides (I'm assuming your talking about a power point presentation?) I used the power points as header information and typed my key points. Again, I can type quickly, so I had no problem doing this and it really enhanced my learning and studying.

I guess this shows that we all learn differently, I'm just frustrated that a very important tool for my learning is being prohibited.

Thanks again for the replies.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

I had laptops in front and behind me. Not only was the light from the screen in front of me distracting but she used an extension cord that always managed to get wrapped around everything and provided a tripping hazard. Not exactly the most considerate gal if you know what I mean. The laptop behind me used to vent out onto my back and heat up my seat so I was uncomfortable

So it may seem like I'm picking but you can kinda see how a convience to you (the laptop) can make the learning enviroment less than ideal for others.

[mothersuess]

I had laptops in front and behind me. Not only was the light from the screen in front of me distracting but she used an extension cord that always managed to get wrapped around everything and provided a tripping hazard. Not exactly the most considerate gal if you know what I mean. The laptop behind me used to vent out onto my back and heat up my seat so I was uncomfortable

So it may seem like I'm picking but you can kinda see how a convience to you (the laptop) can make the learning enviroment less than ideal for others.

Gotcha! Thanks again. Your classrooms must be set up quite differently than ours. I don't think I've ever been in a class where I was close enough to feel the vent out of a laptop. Most of my nursing classes have actually been in a lecture room with stadium style seating and there is always room for one or two seats in between students and with the stadium seating, there was no concern about the screen blocking the view. But definitely something to take into consideration in the future.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Yeah ours is set up like a highschool classroom and there were 60 of us crammed in there. p