Kendra Cobb
College Prep English
Summary/Response Essay
January 17, 2017
College Prep English
Summary/Response Essay
January 17, 2017
Laptops Aren’t Allowed
Laptops seem to be a helpful tool in certain situations, but are they a problem in the classroom? As explained in the article “Leave Your Laptops at the Door to My Classroom” by Darren Rosenblum, a professor at Pace Law School, laptops have hindered the learning of students in his classroom and what he did about the laptops. Rosenblum accurately explains the negative learning effect laptops have had on students in his classroom, and how interacting with the teacher and taking notes on paper are needed to improve a student's knowledge.
In this article, Rosenblum explains how the presence of laptops in the classroom has decreased the connection between the students and teachers; laptops have also hindered the student’s ability to retain the information they were told in class. According to Rosenblum, in order to be successful, everyone needs to know how to communicate and listen, but students are not able to practice these skills if they are on a laptop during class. Rosenblum points out that students need to make a connection with their teachers, but when students bring laptops to class they are focused on the laptop and are not able to make a connection. Another point he made was that when students are asked to take notes with a pen and paper they are more likely to remember what they were taught, rather than just typing the words they see onto a computer. Rosenblum decided to do something about the problem: “I banned laptops, and it improved the students’ engagement. ...we moved faster, further and deeper into the material. ...after my class ends, many students continue to take notes by hand even when it’s not required” (Rosenblum par. 7). Laptops created a problem in Rosenblum’s classroom; therefore, Rosenblum decided to not allow laptops in his classroom.
In order for students to gain knowledge, they need to have communication with their teacher. Rosenblum states, “And yet, education requires constant interaction in which professor and students are fully present for an exchange” (Rosenblum par. 2). For example, when I am in class, most of the time, I do not ask questions. In some of my classes I started interacting more. In those classes I have found that asking questions has helped improved my learning and what I remember. When I have my laptop in front of me, I am less likely to interact with the teacher or students.
Also, when students are asked to take notes, in a class, they will remember more of the information if they are taking notes and not just typing the words they see onto a screen. Rosenblum says, “Students process information better when they take notes — they don’t just transcribe, as they do with laptops, but they think and record those thoughts” (Rosenblum par. 6). When I am in a class and take notes, I will type them because I have a laptop in front of me. When I type notes I do not think about what I am typing. I have learned that throughout the years that I remember information if I write it down on a piece of paper.
Laptops have made communicating and researching easier, but they have become a problem in the classroom. Laptops are a distraction to students. Allowing laptops has hindered the learning of the students. They are not getting the skills they need to have to be successful. In “Leave Your Laptops at the Door to My Classroom” by Darren Rosenblum, a professor at Pace Law School; it properly explains how laptops made learning for students in the classroom difficult because students do not engage with the teacher, and they are not thinking about the notes they are taking.
In this article, Rosenblum explains how the presence of laptops in the classroom has decreased the connection between the students and teachers; laptops have also hindered the student’s ability to retain the information they were told in class. According to Rosenblum, in order to be successful, everyone needs to know how to communicate and listen, but students are not able to practice these skills if they are on a laptop during class. Rosenblum points out that students need to make a connection with their teachers, but when students bring laptops to class they are focused on the laptop and are not able to make a connection. Another point he made was that when students are asked to take notes with a pen and paper they are more likely to remember what they were taught, rather than just typing the words they see onto a computer. Rosenblum decided to do something about the problem: “I banned laptops, and it improved the students’ engagement. ...we moved faster, further and deeper into the material. ...after my class ends, many students continue to take notes by hand even when it’s not required” (Rosenblum par. 7). Laptops created a problem in Rosenblum’s classroom; therefore, Rosenblum decided to not allow laptops in his classroom.
In order for students to gain knowledge, they need to have communication with their teacher. Rosenblum states, “And yet, education requires constant interaction in which professor and students are fully present for an exchange” (Rosenblum par. 2). For example, when I am in class, most of the time, I do not ask questions. In some of my classes I started interacting more. In those classes I have found that asking questions has helped improved my learning and what I remember. When I have my laptop in front of me, I am less likely to interact with the teacher or students.
Also, when students are asked to take notes, in a class, they will remember more of the information if they are taking notes and not just typing the words they see onto a screen. Rosenblum says, “Students process information better when they take notes — they don’t just transcribe, as they do with laptops, but they think and record those thoughts” (Rosenblum par. 6). When I am in a class and take notes, I will type them because I have a laptop in front of me. When I type notes I do not think about what I am typing. I have learned that throughout the years that I remember information if I write it down on a piece of paper.
Laptops have made communicating and researching easier, but they have become a problem in the classroom. Laptops are a distraction to students. Allowing laptops has hindered the learning of the students. They are not getting the skills they need to have to be successful. In “Leave Your Laptops at the Door to My Classroom” by Darren Rosenblum, a professor at Pace Law School; it properly explains how laptops made learning for students in the classroom difficult because students do not engage with the teacher, and they are not thinking about the notes they are taking.
Work Cited
Rosenblum, Darren. “Leave Your Laptops at the Door to My Classroom.” The New York Times, 2 Jan. 2017.