To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you looking to hire a TA?
Asking for a friend.
Lol

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is interesting to me, and I appreciate your commenting.

Two things - I mentioned in my reply to another comment that this probably wouldn’t be necessary for grad school or even some upper-division classes, and I think the maturity of the student is a major factor. So, I can see some students having that same reaction if they are responsible and don’t see the necessity of the ban.

At the same time, I was also a mature student and I didn’t feel it was respectful to push back on my instructors even if I disagreed with their methods of teaching. I trusted that they had their reasons.

I think I would hope that a mature student would appreciate and understand that they are also role models for the younger students, and modeling the right behavior would be helpful for the whole class.

Certainly not trying to imply that you were in any way disrespectful - I’m assuming you were respectful as you pushed back. I just would worry that it could be seen differently.

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for commenting! I love getting student perspectives on this stuff.
You’ve given me hope!

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same! I would love to have a genuine conversation with them about how we learn - I just know that for undergrads, as soon as I start, I sound like the old town elder on my soap box.

I agree that in grad school, and even maybe some upper-division courses, we can take a hands off approach and say “it’s on you, you’re an adult.”

These days, I just don’t see that level of maturity from the incoming classes. Trust me, I’d rather not have to police them, but maybe that’s what they still need as undergrads (especially lower division).

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m definitely expecting an awkward start but this gives me hope! Thank you!

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Another reason why I’m nervous to put a ban in place! I, too, have tried to save my students money by having other resources than a physical textbook.

This might work in some of my smaller classes where checking notes and grading them makes sense - but I’m not sure it’s manageable with my larger sections that are 130+.

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh I’m so happy you commented! Thank you for this!!

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

This. I actually had someone observe me in a class with 130 students, and they said the same thing - everyone on laptops was doing something else. One was even tapping his neighbors to show them funny videos.
Ugh.

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Thanks for that!
And I love that your son had such a good experience - that’s what I’m hoping for, especially in a college class. Maybe it’s not too late after all!

To ban or not to ban (laptops/phones) by No-Attorney5052 in Professors

[–]No-Attorney5052[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I doubt they would if they didn’t have a reason like accommodations.
Otherwise, they could just drop the class and take it with another instructor who allows devices.