>As UTC considers the costs and benefits of requiring laptops for all 
>students, other campuses apparently are having some second thoughts about 
>this "learning" tool. In a timely article, the Wall Street Journal on 
>Friday, October 14, BI published "The Laptop Backlash" by Gary McWilliams.
>
>It shows that schools have even explored ways to block internet access in 
>the classroom to prevent students from messaging, surfing, watching 
>videos, shopping online, and even working during class. One student at the 
>University of Houston who worked two jobs while attending school -- not 
>unknown here at UTC -- said he needed to attend to outside tasks in class: 
>"Sometimes, that is the only time you have." Other students complain about 
>how distracting it is for those who want to learn.
>
>One blog on the article says this:
>
>Bringing laptops and wireless Internet access into classrooms was
>supposed to enrich classroom discussions by, for example, allowing
>students to import information from the Internet and share it with the
>rest of the class. But instead some students are using their laptops to
>message friends, shop online, peruse Web sites and pursue part-time
>jobs. The result: There is a rising backlash against classroom computer
>use from professors and schools. (Hmmm. Young people are not using
>technology in the way authority figures intended them to... who coulda
>guessed?)
>
>Perhaps someone who subscribes to WSJ newspaper will download and share 
>the article for us to consider. I am a big user and advocate of 
>appropriate classroom technology such as Blackboard, smart classrooms 
>(filled with smart students of course), but perhaps this university should 
>proceed carefully with this $10 million (estimate) program.
>
>Richard