Response to “In Defense of in Laptops in the Classrooms” Laptops are claimed in this article to be forms of distraction and hindrance in the classroom, after the experience of the author, Rebecca Schuman, with her students. Using a formal tone to inform college students and professors the importance of an independent and disciplined learning environment when using laptops, Schuman claims to allow laptops in the classroom by offering three main points. Schuman argues that laptops are cheaper alternatives to hard copy materials, and “policing the (otherwise nondistruptive) behavior of students further infantilizes” them. Lastly, she claims that professors should be responsible for keeping students out of distraction. Although I appreciate her organization of arguments to express her stand, yet I feel that her arguments are somehow flawed. …show more content…
Schuman introduces her own experiences first through an anecdote by saying that when she was maintaining “order throughout the otherwise-anarchic auditorium”, she “noticed that the student in front of me had her laptop open but was not taking notes.” Such an introduction of the topic is effective as this helps her stay focused on the topic, and making it suitable for her intended audience. I also like how she attempts in having a balanced view by first acknowledging the consequences of using laptops in classrooms. For instance, Schuman quotes studies from UCLA and Princeton that students “learn better when taking notes”, while she argues that laptops should still be allowed as “policing the (otherwise nondistruptive) behavior of students further infantilizes” them. Thus, Schuman can be seen as a cautious and unbiased writer because she considers varying stands. This is vital because this acknowledges her