Despite my own use of technology in and out of the classroom, I have a strong restriction against students using laptops or tablets or phones in class. At the beginning of the semester, I want to explain my reasoning behind this policy.

I believe that it is incredibly hard not to multi-task when you are sitting in front of a screen, be it a TV or computer screen. And, although multi-tasking might feel good to some people at some moments, every piece of evidence I have ever read or experienced convinces me of the opposite. Multi-tasking hinders listening, thinking, engagement, and learning, all of which we are trying to maximize in the classroom.

For more on this topic, check out this article about how distracting laptops are by Dr. Susan Dynarski here at Michigan. To be clear, I think technology is a wonderful thing and I have no problem with video games or blogs or cat videos, but only in the right context. I do not believe that having access to the internet’s firehose of information is good while you’re in a class session trying to think, listen, and share your ideas.

All that said, if you have a reason that you need to use a laptop or other device in class, please tell me, either in person or via email. I am happy to enable students to use the technology they need to learn and participate.

Remember, too, that all lectures are recorded and all the lecture slides are shared on Canvas, under / Lecture Recordings and / Files / Lecture Slides, respectively.