The Great Laptop Debate.

Technological advances have create numerous indispensable tools that have enabled humans to make leaps and bounds in scientific endeavors and beyond. It therefore seems logical that technology in our classrooms, including college classrooms, would be beneficial for student learning. However, in practice the issue appears to be more complicated, and scientific research has emerged that continues to challenge the belief that technology in the classroom is entirely beneficial. Specifically, there is now substantial data that college students' use of laptops in the classroom is detrimental to their learning, as well as their fellow students' learning.  It a new age of technology, we must continue to assess the best practices that will enable student success. At the same time, we must be sensitive to individual students needs, including students with disabilities. 

"Laptops Are Great. But Not During a Lecture or a Meeting."
- Susan Dynarski 

Excerpt:
"But a growing body of evidence shows that over all, college students learn less when they use computers or tablets during lectures. They also tend to earn worse grades. The research is unequivocal: Laptops distract from learning, both for users and for those around them. It’s not much of a leap to expect that electronics also undermine learning in high school classrooms or that they hurt productivity in meetings in all kinds of workplaces."