The latest from the News Desk Of The Painfully Obvious
The Laptop Backlash: Wireless Classrooms Promote Messaging and Web Surfing, Not Learning, Professors Say
And just in case you don't have a Wall Street Journal Online subscription or an employer you can rip one off from:
October 14, 2005
The Laptop Backlash: Wireless Classrooms Promote Messaging and Web Surfing, Not Learning, Professors Say
By GARY MCWILLIAMS
Dennis Adams, a computer-systems professor at the University of Houston, was thrilled a few years ago when his school began providing laptop computers to incoming students and set up wireless Internet access in classrooms. But in the past year, his enthusiasm has turned to dismay.
A recent visit to his class -- where about half the 26 students are using laptops -- explains why. While Prof. Adams lectures, five students use an online chat room to post comments on his lecture, on classroom stragglers, and on the meaning of his discussion questions. Another student spends nearly two-thirds of the three-hour class playing computer chess, instant messaging and viewing photos of a fraternity party posted on the Web. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Mike Fielden buys a pair of sneakers on eBay.
"You can be in the front of the classroom and your hair could catch on fire and they'll never see it because their eyes are glued to the 14-inch screen at the end of their nose," says Prof. Adams, who is chairman of the Decision and Information Sciences Department at the university's Bauer College of Business.
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.
The University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, and the University of Houston have each investigated the use of devices to block wireless access in the classroom after faculty complaints of out-of-control Web surfing. Others may move in that direction. "We've chatted about faculty needing to have a switch in the room to easily turn the wireless on and off," says Stanford University Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education John C. Bravman.
But it isn't that easy. When UCLA's Anderson School of Management installed wireless-blocking technology in its classrooms two years ago, the effort disrupted network use in offices and halls as well. Last June, a faculty committee concluded that stopping the signals amounted to a technology arms race that couldn't be won and yanked out the blockers. After all, the panel reasoned, merely blocking wireless computer networks wouldn't stop cellphones with Internet access.
The backlash against wireless use is happening even as hundreds of colleges are still adding wireless networks to help woo students to their campuses. In 2004, 31% of the classrooms at U.S. colleges and universities had wireless-network access, according to the Campus Computing Project. The latest survey, due out next week, will show a big gain, according to project director Kenneth C. Green. At the same time, prices of notebook computers are plummeting, making the portables standard issue for many college students.
The unintended consequences of wiring up classrooms echo an earlier rash of problems after colleges provided high-speed Internet access to dorm rooms. The hope then was that students would use the Internet for research and homework. Instead, many students wasted lots of time sending instant messages and illegally exchanging music files.
Georgia Institute of Technology first provided wireless access to its classrooms in 1999. Jonathan Clarke, an assistant finance professor at the Atlanta school, says he assumed his M.B.A. students were using their laptops to take notes until two years ago, when the presence of a guest lecturer gave him a chance to sit among the students. It was an eye-opening experience seeing the students "surfing the Web, checking email, instant messaging," he says. "They weren't doing work."
Students say some professors are reluctant to call for wholesale bans for fear they will get crummy reviews when students are asked to rate their instructors. "They know students will go after them when it comes time for review," say Susan Gutman, a third-year law student at Chapman University, Anaheim, Calif.
Eddy Leal, a Duke University economics major who uses his laptop in class, says a history professor would glare at him, lecture standing alongside him or ask him after class what he was doing. But Mr. Leal, who swears he only took notes on the laptop, says the professor never told him directly not to bring the laptop to class. "I did mention it on the evaluation," he says.
Some professors have responded to the prevalence of networked computers in class by changing their teaching styles. The University of Houston's Prof. Adams, for instance, now peppers his lectures with enough questions to reduce students' Web surfing. When he is discussing a particularly complex subject, he says, he tells students to close their laptops.
The laptops even affect how people sit in class, with students grouping themselves along the walls to get access to power outlets and leaving empty seats in the center. After one classroom was remodeled to add power outlets, Mr. Adams says he noticed new students attending. "I asked a student what's the deal?" he recalls. The answer: They heard about the additional electric outlets for their laptops.
Students insist the computers aren't a distraction. Michael Moya, who regularly participates in the chat room during Mr. Adams's class, says it makes him a better student. "If you are not understanding what he's talking about or you miss a word, maybe one of your friends understands," he explains.
But Mr. Moya also admits after class that he used the Internet to exchange instant messages with his girlfriend, check his bank balance, and complete assigned readings while Mr. Adams lectured.
Mr. Moya, who works two part-time jobs while attending school, says a busy schedule makes it necessary to handle some outside tasks in class. "Sometimes, that is the only time you have," he says.
What earth-shattering piece of news will they come up with next? Employees using company computers to access the internets - perhaps even blogging WHILE AT WORK?!
Inconceivable.
And just in case you don't have a Wall Street Journal Online subscription or an employer you can rip one off from:
October 14, 2005
The Laptop Backlash: Wireless Classrooms Promote Messaging and Web Surfing, Not Learning, Professors Say
By GARY MCWILLIAMS
Dennis Adams, a computer-systems professor at the University of Houston, was thrilled a few years ago when his school began providing laptop computers to incoming students and set up wireless Internet access in classrooms. But in the past year, his enthusiasm has turned to dismay.
A recent visit to his class -- where about half the 26 students are using laptops -- explains why. While Prof. Adams lectures, five students use an online chat room to post comments on his lecture, on classroom stragglers, and on the meaning of his discussion questions. Another student spends nearly two-thirds of the three-hour class playing computer chess, instant messaging and viewing photos of a fraternity party posted on the Web. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Mike Fielden buys a pair of sneakers on eBay.
"You can be in the front of the classroom and your hair could catch on fire and they'll never see it because their eyes are glued to the 14-inch screen at the end of their nose," says Prof. Adams, who is chairman of the Decision and Information Sciences Department at the university's Bauer College of Business.
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.
The University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, and the University of Houston have each investigated the use of devices to block wireless access in the classroom after faculty complaints of out-of-control Web surfing. Others may move in that direction. "We've chatted about faculty needing to have a switch in the room to easily turn the wireless on and off," says Stanford University Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education John C. Bravman.
But it isn't that easy. When UCLA's Anderson School of Management installed wireless-blocking technology in its classrooms two years ago, the effort disrupted network use in offices and halls as well. Last June, a faculty committee concluded that stopping the signals amounted to a technology arms race that couldn't be won and yanked out the blockers. After all, the panel reasoned, merely blocking wireless computer networks wouldn't stop cellphones with Internet access.
The backlash against wireless use is happening even as hundreds of colleges are still adding wireless networks to help woo students to their campuses. In 2004, 31% of the classrooms at U.S. colleges and universities had wireless-network access, according to the Campus Computing Project. The latest survey, due out next week, will show a big gain, according to project director Kenneth C. Green. At the same time, prices of notebook computers are plummeting, making the portables standard issue for many college students.
The unintended consequences of wiring up classrooms echo an earlier rash of problems after colleges provided high-speed Internet access to dorm rooms. The hope then was that students would use the Internet for research and homework. Instead, many students wasted lots of time sending instant messages and illegally exchanging music files.
Georgia Institute of Technology first provided wireless access to its classrooms in 1999. Jonathan Clarke, an assistant finance professor at the Atlanta school, says he assumed his M.B.A. students were using their laptops to take notes until two years ago, when the presence of a guest lecturer gave him a chance to sit among the students. It was an eye-opening experience seeing the students "surfing the Web, checking email, instant messaging," he says. "They weren't doing work."
Students say some professors are reluctant to call for wholesale bans for fear they will get crummy reviews when students are asked to rate their instructors. "They know students will go after them when it comes time for review," say Susan Gutman, a third-year law student at Chapman University, Anaheim, Calif.
Eddy Leal, a Duke University economics major who uses his laptop in class, says a history professor would glare at him, lecture standing alongside him or ask him after class what he was doing. But Mr. Leal, who swears he only took notes on the laptop, says the professor never told him directly not to bring the laptop to class. "I did mention it on the evaluation," he says.
Some professors have responded to the prevalence of networked computers in class by changing their teaching styles. The University of Houston's Prof. Adams, for instance, now peppers his lectures with enough questions to reduce students' Web surfing. When he is discussing a particularly complex subject, he says, he tells students to close their laptops.
The laptops even affect how people sit in class, with students grouping themselves along the walls to get access to power outlets and leaving empty seats in the center. After one classroom was remodeled to add power outlets, Mr. Adams says he noticed new students attending. "I asked a student what's the deal?" he recalls. The answer: They heard about the additional electric outlets for their laptops.
Students insist the computers aren't a distraction. Michael Moya, who regularly participates in the chat room during Mr. Adams's class, says it makes him a better student. "If you are not understanding what he's talking about or you miss a word, maybe one of your friends understands," he explains.
But Mr. Moya also admits after class that he used the Internet to exchange instant messages with his girlfriend, check his bank balance, and complete assigned readings while Mr. Adams lectured.
Mr. Moya, who works two part-time jobs while attending school, says a busy schedule makes it necessary to handle some outside tasks in class. "Sometimes, that is the only time you have," he says.
What earth-shattering piece of news will they come up with next? Employees using company computers to access the internets - perhaps even blogging WHILE AT WORK?!
Inconceivable.