Appropriateness of laptops, iPads varies by professor preference

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Many professors at Central Michigan University still maintain a zero-tolerance policy on cell phones, laptops or any other electronics in their classrooms despite their growing ubiquity.

For journalism instructor Mary Pat Lichtman, technology is essential for her classes — but she also expects a certain amount of respect from students.

“We as professors need to be flexible with electronic usage is the classroom,” she said. “But there needs to be cooperation from the students.”

Lichtman said college should be treated as a job with professors as students’ employers, and added that if students wouldn’t text in a meeting they shouldn’t do it in the classroom either.

Rochester junior Tessa Richards said one of her teachers this semester ruled that if any one was caught on the phone his or her grade would move down a full letter.

“Many teachers this semester made no tolerance cell phone policies, just like high school,” Richards said. “I feel cell phones and iPods are a major source of distraction in the classroom, but computers and iPads are designed to be student- and classroom-friendly.”

Some students, however, feel electronics should remain outside of the class.

“Every time I’m in class everyone with a laptop is on Facebook,” said Redford junior Jacqueline Roberge.

She said she understands the academic benefits to using electronics in class but those students need to have understanding for people who prefer not to use them.

“This year one of my teachers told all students who bring laptops to sit in the back two rows so no one gets distracted,” Roberge said.

Litchman felt the modern technological culture means certain classes are taught better with the use of electronics. Teachers must have an understanding of their students and their academic capabilities when deciding electronic usage in class.

Litchman was charged with teaching CMU’s first social media class and said she allowed the students to rent and use iPads in class. She said the best way for students to learn social media was to engage in it.

She said it is important to use technology to improve schoolwork and not to distract other students from their own.

“It’s rude”, Litchman said. “It takes away from the classroom environment.”