Should Students Be Allowed to Bring Laptops into the Classroom? By: Patrice Moore

Options: Some teachers feel that allowing students to bring laptops into the classroom will take away from the learning process. The thought is that students will be using the laptops for personal use like social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace), or listening to music during class time, or even making online purchases.

Pro: Students can use laptops to research information for projects and/or papers during class time. This will allow teachers to monitor websites being used and possibly narrow down topics and/or websites that may or may not be useful for the project and/or paper. Which possibly reduce stress from both the students and the teacher. Con: If not monitored properly, students can use the laptop inappropriately and can easily tell the teacher they are using it for research. Pro: The use of laptops in the classroom can cut down on the amount of paperwork for both teachers and students. Pro: Using laptops can assist students who may not be as “computer savvy” as others learn proper computer skills as well as learning how to use word processors such as Microsoft Word to write papers or Microsoft PowerPoint for presentations. Con: If the school’s does not have wireless internet capabilities or they are down, then the laptops are useless to the students for research purposes. Pros and Cons:

Con: Students who do not have laptops or are not allowed to bring them to school can feel inadequate to those that have lap tops in school. Con: A student not having a laptop at school for whatever reason can result in teasing which can lead to fights or theft. Pros and Cons cont’d:

The use of laptops in the classroom good be a great idea, there are some stipulations to this though. -Laptops in the classroom should only be permitted for certain age groups/grade levels. Such as grades 7 or 8 through grade 12. -All parents must be made aware of laptop use in the classroom and have to sign a waver stating that it is ok for their child to bring their laptop to school and if something happens to the device, the school is not responsible. -Teachers make rules to laptop use in their classroom in order to ensure proper supervision. For example, a teacher may make a rule stating that only 3 students are allowed to use their laptops at one time and have to sit in a designated area with the teacher and all other students are to engage in other work. Laptops in the classroom:

As a teacher, I don’t see the problem with allowing students to use laptops in the classroom as long as there are some ground rules set for laptop use and proper monitoring can take place. The previous slide gives good suggestions for teachers to ensure proper monitoring. We have already stated that there are many benefits to allowing students to use laptops in the classroom. In the end the decision is up to the school as well as teachers. The ultimate question is, “Laptops in the classroom: Good or Bad? You decide! Laptops in the classroom: Good or Bad….You decide!

Patrice Moore Instructional Technology in the Classroom Professor Renee Henderson MTTS Standard 1 Project Laptops in the Classroom!