Comments on: Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster? http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/ An outlet for some geeks in law school Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:57:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: John McDonald http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-3110 John McDonald Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:01:01 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-3110 I agree with you on using one note to take lecture notes and keep track. Professors seriously need to get with the present and future. I agree with you on using one note to take lecture notes and keep track. Professors seriously need to get with the present and future.

]]> By: » Blog Archive » 100 Blog Posts You Should Read Before Going to Law School http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2985 » Blog Archive » 100 Blog Posts You Should Read Before Going to Law School Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:10:52 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2985 [...] Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster?: Many law school students bring their laptops to class. Find out whether they’ll be a good note-taking tool or just a distraction. [...] [...] Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster?: Many law school students bring their laptops to class. Find out whether they’ll be a good note-taking tool or just a distraction. [...]

]]> By: Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster? « NoelBagwell.com http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2936 Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster? « NoelBagwell.com Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:56:25 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2936 [...] Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster? Published August 19, 2009 Science & Technology , law school Leave a Comment Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster?. [...] [...] Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster? Published August 19, 2009 Science & Technology , law school Leave a Comment Laptops in the Classroom: Learning Tool or Time Waster?. [...]

]]> By: Jon Bartelson http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2898 Jon Bartelson Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:44:38 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2898 @Josh, I agree 100%. I was pleased that my ConLaw professor was persuaded by our arguments to continue allowing laptop use in-class, despite the bit of misuse that was occurring. @Josh,

I agree 100%. I was pleased that my ConLaw professor was persuaded by our arguments to continue allowing laptop use in-class, despite the bit of misuse that was occurring.

]]> By: Josh Camson http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2890 Josh Camson Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:29:33 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2890 Maybe I'm the only one willing to admit to my horrible laptop habits. I never used a laptop in school before law school began. As my attention drifted in class, so did my mouse. I always made sure to keep a window open for notes, but I often had my Google Reader open, not to mention an IM client. Part of the way through the first semester of my second year, I gave the laptop up. With the exception of an advanced research class which required laptop use, I ditched it completely. My grades improved and so did my comprehension. However, this is more because of my personal inability to stay on task. In my opinion, banning laptops is ludicrous. Law students aren't five year olds. If we are going to make mistakes and do dumb stuff (such as, in my case, occasionally reading comics on my computer) then let us do dumb stuff. In most facets, the legal career and law school are survival of the fittest. The curve re-enforces that. So professors shouldn't try to even the playing field by making easily-distracted people like myself stay on task. Maybe I’m the only one willing to admit to my horrible laptop habits. I never used a laptop in school before law school began. As my attention drifted in class, so did my mouse. I always made sure to keep a window open for notes, but I often had my Google Reader open, not to mention an IM client.

Part of the way through the first semester of my second year, I gave the laptop up. With the exception of an advanced research class which required laptop use, I ditched it completely. My grades improved and so did my comprehension. However, this is more because of my personal inability to stay on task.

In my opinion, banning laptops is ludicrous. Law students aren’t five year olds. If we are going to make mistakes and do dumb stuff (such as, in my case, occasionally reading comics on my computer) then let us do dumb stuff. In most facets, the legal career and law school are survival of the fittest. The curve re-enforces that. So professors shouldn’t try to even the playing field by making easily-distracted people like myself stay on task.

]]> By: Don’t Blame the Messenger, Blame the Roads | Fearfully Optimistic http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2674 Don’t Blame the Messenger, Blame the Roads | Fearfully Optimistic Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:59:36 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2674 [...] Bartelson over at Legal Geekery has a great post up on an age-old law school problem: laptops. It’s a battle as old as, well, laptops. On the one side are students who believe technology [...] Oops, should have added great post! Waiting for the next one! [...] Bartelson over at Legal Geekery has a great post up on an age-old law school problem: laptops. It’s a battle as old as, well, laptops. On the one side are students who believe technology [...]
Oops, should have added great post! Waiting for the next one!

]]> By: Don’t Blame the Messenger, Blame the Roads | Fearfully Optimistic http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2671 Don’t Blame the Messenger, Blame the Roads | Fearfully Optimistic Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:03:55 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2671 [...] Bartelson over at Legal Geekery has a great post up on an age-old law school problem: laptops. It’s a battle as old as, well, laptops. On the one side are students who believe technology [...] [...] Bartelson over at Legal Geekery has a great post up on an age-old law school problem: laptops. It’s a battle as old as, well, laptops. On the one side are students who believe technology [...]

]]> By: Jon Bartelson http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2669 Jon Bartelson Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:42:04 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2669 @Phil: I realize my post may come off a little preachy (sorry) But, I'd be lying if I said I didn't keep at least a loose handle on Red Sox games through the first half of the fall semester. :) @Phil: I realize my post may come off a little preachy (sorry) But, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t keep at least a loose handle on Red Sox games through the first half of the fall semester. :)

]]> By: Jon Bartelson http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2668 Jon Bartelson Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:38:34 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2668 @Charles, @Erin: Absolutely. I suspect my ConLaw professor would have seen a small jump in the mean exam score at the end of the year, but probably nothing significant. I believe the benefits of free laptop use far outweigh the potential costs of distractions. It's really about what you make of the situation. Alternative uses are only distracting if you let them be :) @Charles, @Erin: Absolutely. I suspect my ConLaw professor would have seen a small jump in the mean exam score at the end of the year, but probably nothing significant. I believe the benefits of free laptop use far outweigh the potential costs of distractions.

It’s really about what you make of the situation. Alternative uses are only distracting if you let them be :)

]]> By: Daniel http://legalgeekery.com/2009/07/07/laptops-in-the-classroom-learning-tool-or-time-waster/comment-page-1/#comment-2666 Daniel Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:38:58 +0000 http://legalgeekery.com/?p=1912#comment-2666 I started using my laptop my second semester of my 1L year, and it really benefited me once I figured out I had onenote. It is an amazing program, nothing like being able to instantly outline your class as you close in on finals. But on another note, there is nothing like being able to be passive-aggressive by constantly updating your 'feed' with your peers on facebook or twitter or a blog, some things should never be said about other students, orally. I started using my laptop my second semester of my 1L year, and it really benefited me once I figured out I had onenote. It is an amazing program, nothing like being able to instantly outline your class as you close in on finals.

But on another note, there is nothing like being able to be passive-aggressive by constantly updating your ‘feed’ with your peers on facebook or twitter or a blog, some things should never be said about other students, orally.

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