A couple notes from a slightly different perspective. First, I am just finishing up my MS through an online program at Northwest Missouri State University. Second, I maintain computer teaching labs for GIS.
My take is that students should be given enough rope to hang themselves. You shouldn't detract from the experience of enthusiastic students in order "reign in" the students who could care less. Having come from the public school system as well, I hate it when I get a dumbed-down version of a course or am denied access to things to further my education because of the abuse of a few. Although I'm not certain how to manage this in the framework of a school that's constantly fighting a battle between maintaining quality of education and maintaining enrollment levels to pay the bills. I've advocated in the labs I manage to keep things as open as possible. If a student doesn't want to pay attention in class and wants to browse the web instead, it's their loss. Don't take it personally. But make that student responsible for knowing the material.
On students working: one of the biggest advantages I've found to online education is that classes are much easier to balance with work and life. I can go to class anytime, anywhere. I'm at a coffee shop right now, with my laptop, working on coursework and preparing for my comp exams.
But as far as requiring laptops for students, I'm not certain what the benefit would be. I think it might limit more than it gives. Within the context of a 50 minute lecture, I'm not sure how effective it could be to have people break out laptops, find power outlets, get networked, and finally get info. Posting the content on the course BlackBoard or just a website or even a handout would be more effective.
But that's my 2 cents worth...
-Eric Wolf
UTC GIS Evangelist
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Rice <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 08:01:22 -0400
Subject: [UTCSTAFF] Laptop Backlash
>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
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Eric Wolf
GIS Application Support
ims.utc.edu
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