Thanks Brian. I don't disagree, no need to force technology if there's no
compelling reason for using it.
However, can I just follow up: Do you ban student technology because it's
been a proven distraction in your TBL course (and among student teams), or
is this a carry-over policy from previous courses that were primarily
lecture based? Not trying to force an artificial binary, just testing an
assumption.
Best,
John
On Wed, Oct 1, 2014 at 5:18 PM, Brian R <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I ban ALL cell phones and laptops. I believe we get too caught up into
> thinking that we have to incorporate technology into everything we do. I
> believe that computers and cell phones are very distracting to students;
> some of them can not help but to check their Facebook page or a quick text.
> Overall, I believe that the teams work more effectively when there re "no"
> computers or cell phones.....
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2014 14:30:48 -0400
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Is Banning Student Laptops Common in Active Learning Courses?
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> In recent weeks, there have been some high profile essays by profs banning
> student laptops, tablets or phones from the classroom:
>
> - Why a leading professor of new media just banned technology use in
> class
> <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/25/why-a-leading-professor-of-new-media-just-banned-technology-use-in-class/?tid=pm_local_pop>
> (*Washington Post*)
> - Why I'm Asking You Not to Use Laptops
> <http://chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2014/08/25/why-im-asking-you-not-to-use-laptops/>
> (*Chronicle of Higher Education*)
>
> Admittedly, I'm in the technology biz, so feel free to "consider the
> source," but I'm curious: do you have this problem with student computers
> in your TBL classrooms? Have you considered banning these devices in your
> courses? Do you now? Do your TBL colleagues?
>
> I'm just wondering how much of the growing "ban laptops" movement is
> correlated to courses that are primarily lecture-based. Or is this also a
> problem with active learning course designs like TBL, Peer Instruction,
> Problem Based Learning, etc.? To me, it feels like there are two competing
> pedagogical research threads -- faculty lecture effectiveness vs. student
> multitasking effectiveness -- vying for the attention of profs in how they
> they design and run their classrooms.
>
> If the issue is competing with technology for the attention of students, I
> get it. The capability and capacity of media technology is too
> overwhelming. But given the research that has been compiled on lecture
> effectiveness, isn't the concern with banning laptops sorta beside the
> point? I always thought the underlying assumption of active learning is
> that students learn by doing, particularly with and from each other. But if
> we see learning as primarily listening to or watching someone else "doing"
> (i.e., the prof thinking or talking), then I could see how student
> computers could be distracting.
>
> I realize re-designing a course so students do more may feel like a
> daunting "all in" decision for faculty. But am I missing something about
> the impact of student computers in successfully re-designed TBL or other
> active learning courses? If so, please educate me.
>
> Thx,
>
> John
>
> --
> John Fritz
> Asst. VP, Instructional Technology <http://doit.umbc.edu/itnm>
> UMBC Division of Information Technology <http://doit.umbc.edu>
> 410.455.6596 | [log in to unmask] | FYI: Tech Support Tips
> <http://doit.umbc.edu/support/tips>
>
--
John Fritz
Asst. VP, Instructional Technology <http://doit.umbc.edu/itnm>
UMBC Division of Information Technology <http://doit.umbc.edu>
410.455.6596 | [log in to unmask] | FYI: Tech Support Tips
<http://doit.umbc.edu/support/tips>
|
