June Entman wants to hear less clickity-clack from laptops and more yackity-yak from students in her civil-procedure class.
Seeking to stimulate class participation, Entman -- a law professor at the University of Memphis -- has instituted a no-laptop policy in her classroom. The move has enraged some of her students and has drawn polarized reactions from Penn Law professors.
In response to her announcement, a few "disgruntled" Memphis law students drafted a petition and attempted to file a complaint with the American Bar Association, according to Entman. The complaint was dismissed by the ABA.
Entman said law professors from other schools have flooded her e-mail inbox with letters backing her decision, and she isn't alone in her determination.
Penn Law School professor Jason Johnston has always had a no-laptop policy for his classes and said he supports Entman's decision.
The main student grievance against the ban is that it is easier to take thorough notes with a laptop, Entman said. But this "entirely misperceives" the purpose of class attendance, she added.
Johnston agreed, saying students are more focused and engaged without laptops. The devices make it tempting to simply transcribe conversations as opposed to analyzing what is being said and then participating in class, he added.
"In law school, everything is Socratic method," Johnston said. Law students "have to listen very carefully. Without laptops, it's easier to do that. People are more tuned in."
But other law professors say that banning computers makes no sense.
Penn Law professor Anita Allen said laptops can significantly aid students. Laptops facilitate quality outlining, improve participation and provide access to valuable digital resources, Allen said, adding that laptops can help students with learning disabilities such as ADHD or dyslexia.
"I think that professors who ban laptops are insecure about their ability to capture and maintain their students' attention," Allen said. "A professor should be able to compete with a stupid machine. If you are good, people will listen to you."
Professors should not have the right to ban laptops in the first place, Allen added.
At the Penn Law School, no official laptop policy exists. However, three or four professors have banned the computers, Johnston said.
Law professor Charles Mooney, who has conducted an informal experiment to observe the laptop's effect on students. Last year, Mooney banned laptops; this year, he allowed them. He then compared the classes' performances.
Mooney said he tentatively concludes that pen and paper in the classroom is more effective than typing for studying law.
"If I had to decide today, I would probably require them to take notes without laptops," Mooney said.
While some Penn Law students understand the reasoning behind no-laptop policies, they say they think computers can still significantly contribute to the learning experience.
One such student, Eric Bienenfeld, said that connection via wireless combined with the availability and convenience of digital documents make laptops ideal research tools.
"I think a solution is for professors to integrate laptops into class," Bienenfeld said, adding that students should use their discretion when employing the devices.
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