War on Laptops

A study conducted by Indiana University found that law students are more likely than other students to use their laptops in class. The study confirms our own internal data that shows that most law students enjoy having internet access on par with what can be achieved in Ghana.

The ABA Journal smartly put the study in the context of the University of Chicago Law School’s attempts to shut down internet access in most classes, a move no doubt applauded by this guy:

Distractions posed by laptops with Internet access have prompted some law professors to ban the computers and one law school–the University of Chicago–to shut down Internet access in most classrooms.

A very wise tenured professor once said to me:

The way I see it, if my presentations are not interesting enough to capture your attendance and attention to a lecture you’ve already paid for, the fault is on me.

Needless to say, his lectures were always well attended, and I know more about the English Revolution than I could possibly need. But I digress.

Other IU laptop nuggets after the jump.

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Trying to shut down internet access in class is the modern day equivalent to stapling somebody’s eyes open, but the good people at IU found this nebulous data point that will no doubt strengthen the resolve of schools who hate freedom the internet:

Perhaps to be expected, students who frequently used their laptops during class to surf the Web, email or instant message were much less engaged overall. Third-year students were more likely than other law students to participate in such distracting activities during class.

In other breaking news, students who stay up late are less likely to wake up early.

I mean seriously, they needed an entire study to figure out that 3Ls are not paying attention to class? You could stage a naked debate between the Philadelphia Eagle Cheerleaders and the roster of dudes from Thunder Down Under and 3Ls would at best be mildly amused while the count the hours until the end of class/graduation.

But sure, take away the laptop. That’ll get people “focused.”

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I think some people underestimate the brain’s ability to resist unwanted information.

Law school study links laptop computer use, student engagement [IU News Room]

Survey Captures 3L Ennui [ABA Journal]

Earlier: Hey Teacher, Leave Those Kids (and Their Internet) Alone!

Update: Hey Teacher, Leave Those Kids (and Their Internet) Alone!