Computers are seen at a computer lab in Bondurant Hall. Photo: Thomas Graning, The Daily Mississippian
As a pervasive reality, technology has become nearly impossible to avoid. Having penetrated social interaction, homes and the workplace, many students support the use of technology in the classroom.
Heather Annulis, a professor in the Human Capital Development program at The University of Southern Mississippi, said she has no issues with laptops as a productivity tool.
“My students are highly motivated and generally overachievers,” Annulis said. “The laptop is a technology-enabled tool that allows my students to do their work more efficiently.“
More and more professors are beginning to support, and even require, laptop use in the classroom.
The Meek School of Journalism and New Media at The University of Mississippi, among other organizations, has recently begun to require its students to have their own laptops for use in technology-driven courses.
Dean Will Norton of the Meek School said access to technology is critical for student success.
“We think that if a student has his or her own laptop, they can have the information with them and don’t have to depend on having access to a lab to do their work,” Norton said.
M.D. Sarder, associate professor of industrial engineering technology at The University of Southern Mississippi, supports the use of technology in the classroom.
“I have been a professor for 13 years,” Sarder said. “When I first began teaching, no students used laptops. Today, almost all students use laptops in the classroom. When they arrive for class, the first thing they do is fire up the laptop.”
A common concern about student laptop use is the increased potential for distraction. Social media, games and even other classwork can distract students from the lesson at hand.
“Some (professors) wonder if students are paying attention,” said David Holt, associate professor of geography at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Annulis said the benefits prove it worthwhile to have technology present in the classroom.
“I do think the benefits outweigh the downsides,” Annulis said. “Students are able to capture important items in the laptop and then utilize the information quickly for assignments. The polished formatting that laptops provide students for assignments is appreciated when I grade assignments.”
Sarder agrees.
“Absolutely,” Sarder said. “We can design our lessons and assessment so that laptop uses are conducive for the class.”
— Sinclair Rishel
serishel@go.olemiss.edu
