At a time where technology shapes nearly every aspect of education, some professors at ULM are taking a step back by banning devices in the classroom.
While teachers intend to encourage active listening by limiting distractions, restricting students to traditional notetaking keeps them from taking advantage of the useful tools the digital age offers.
The logic behind banning devices is sound: when students go on sites such as YouTube, Instagram, Shein or any other unnecessary apps, it distracts that student as well as their peers.
However, outright banning devices to prevent a few students from misbehaving is unfair to everyone, especially considering the evidence against banning devices in classrooms. An article published by Harvard University cited Elliott-Dorans’s study comparing the effects of banning or allowing laptops in different sections of the same course. The study found that banning laptops in the classroom led to lower quality of written work, attendance, and exam scores.
Freshman medical laboratory science major Aarushka Kattel is one of many students who uses an iPad to take notes and study. According to Kattel, going digital has improved productivity and allowed her to organize her materials without having to carry multiple books to class every day. However, some of Kattel’s classes require her to leave her iPad in her book bag.
“Students who are going to use their device for other purposes and not pay attention are going to do that nevertheless, so restricting to maintain discipline is not the way to go,” Kattel said.
Technology is not the real culprit here. In fact, students who are inclined to misuse technology in classes are the same ones who do not plan to pay attention anyways.
The previously mentioned Harvard article also cites a study by Bernard R. McCoy, who attributes students’ misuse of technology in the classroom to boredom. By keeping students engaged and thinking in class, they are less likely to be tempted by digital distractions.
Professors can be more interactive by discussing answers with students, encouraging group discussions with peers, moving around in the classroom to interact with students and even adding a bit of humor in their lectures.
A whole class should not be punished for one person’s mistakes. Professors need to let students make their own choices and, in turn, live with the consequences. High school ended years ago; please do not take us back.
