Godless Dave

I was in a college classroom early this year and saw some students in the back taking notes on their laptop computers. This had never occurred to me (we didn't have laptops back in my college days, had to walk uphill in the snow both ways, etc.) but it is an appealing idea. My handwriting becomes exponentially less legible the faster I write, but I can type pretty fast. But what is the current etiquette about typing on a laptop in class? Is one expected to sit in back of the class? Is it generally frowned upon? I'm interested in opinions from the students and professors on here.

chanoc

Some colleges require every student to have a laptop, other colleges require a PDA. I bring my laptop to class and take notes, draw flowcharts, download files on the super-fast wireless network, chat with others about the lecture, etc. Sometimes I get rude stares when the fan comes on, but like I really care.

I ate Pascal's Wafer

Here most people still take notes with old fashioned pencils and paper. I definitely prefer it that way. I don't want the computer to crash while I'm taking important lecture notes.

That said, there have been two people in my classes that have used laptops for taking notes, and both sat in the front of the classroom. They were treated just as anyone else in the class was by the other students and even the professors. I don't think it really matters where they sit. It seems to me like it's just considered to be one more note-taking device. I certainly don't have any problems with anyone using laptops, so long as they don't distract me by playing games or something.

-Nick

doghouse

I think it depends on the instructor. I wouldn't mind if a student took notes on a laptop as I can't see how this is much different than taking notes on paper, as long as it's quiet. Nobody has actually done this though, because I give them prepared notes at the start of the semester.

On the other hand, the first student I see on a cellphone is out on their behind.

Oh, and no sleeping.

Chicken Girl

Nobody at my school takes notes on their laptop, but I saw someone with a PDA once.

I ate Pascal's Wafer

I wish I had more instructors like you. There are entirely too many people who don't turn off their phone, or who actually answer calls and talk in class ( ), at my school. I've only had a few teachers who really enforced the no-cell-phone policy. It's really distracting to my concentration, and it would be really convienient if more teachers actually did something to stop people from doing this.

-Nick

Jacey

In Legally Blonde , Elle Woods had a cute laptop and she was valedictorian, so when I go to a real college (not a local CC) I'm going to get a laptop cuz eye type much more better then eye right and she was valedictorian and I wanna be rich.

Sakpo

I recently won a scholarship covering most of my tuition, so I was able to get a laptop. However, I still plan to take notes the old fashioned way (pen and notebook)... though I'll enjoy having the ability to go straight to the library to type them up.

Heathen

Even though my handwriting sucks, I still use pen and paper, and I haven't seen anyone use laptops to take notes. Besides, if I took my laptop to class, I'd likely be distracted by all my games I agree about the cell phones.

Kilted Canuck

Our class (high school, Grade 11) this year were allowed to use laptops that were donated by some company or another for projects, but I tried out taking notes, and I loved it. I can type much faster than I write legibly, and I also tend to remember the stuff I type better than when I write. When I go to university, I'll either take a laptop or a PDA with a keyboard.