Technology Use Policies
Technology is a double-edged sword; on the one hand, students are more comfortable using laptops to take notes than doing it by hand, and many apps support learning in the classroom. On the other hand, research shows that use of technology (laptops, cell-phones, etc.) can be distracting for both the person using it and others nearby, and can thereby reduce learning (see Distracted by James Lang). A wide range of policies could be appropriate, depending on the particulars of your course. As ever, the most important thing is to explain your policy clearly.
Below we've provided policy options, as well as rationale for using each of them—or not. Feel free to use the language below in your syllabus, and adapt as necessary.
No Technology Use
Situational Technology Use
Open Technology Use
No Technology Use
Using laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices are not permitted in class, unless the student expresses this is an access barrier.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Research shows that use of cell phones, laptops, and other devices causes distraction and impairs learning not only for the person using the technology but also for people near to the person using the technology. Therefore, no technology use of this kind is permitted during class sessions. Plan to take notes by hand, and bring hard copies of the readings to class. Note: If you have accommodation needs around technology that have been registered with the Academic Resource Center, let me know."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
| Very clear. Supported by research on distraction, learning, and technology. Other research shows that hand-written notes lead to more robust learning. | May cause accessibility barriers for students for whom written note-taking poses an issue (and in some cases you will be required to allow technology for specific students in order to be ADA-compliant, which can impact student privacy by increasing the visibility of students with accommodations). Hard copies of readings may be more expensive, , or may require printing, which could be wasteful. |
Situational Technology Use
Technology is allowed in the classroom only at specific times set by the instructor.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Participation and contribution are strongly encouraged throughout the course. In-class contribution and participation and student engagement in courses is associated with improved learning, retention, and sense of belonging; thus, participation can be a tremendous asset to our collective learning and class climate." See also, James Lang's technology policy which robustly defines these situations.
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| Student engagement in courses is associated with improved learning, retention, and sense of belonging. Student participation in the classroom can foster discussion and tie-ins with the material to their own lives leading to improved learning. Allows for students who do not excel in written work to partake in their learning and the content in a different way. | Ungraded or unrewarded in-class participation can lead to students feeling they are performing better in-class than they do on graded assignments. This can also lead to grading difficulties for the faculty member. |
Open Technology Use
The default policy is that technology and devices are allowed to be used during class sessions.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "We are all adults in this classroom community, and I trust you to know when you need to use technological support such as laptops or cell phones during class. Feel free to use these devices if/when it feels appropriate to you, but know that I will expect you to be on task throughout the class session. Use of technology for non-class-related activities is prohibited."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| Demonstrates trust in students. Inclusive to a wide range of learning needs. | Could result in off-task students. Could impair learning for students using technology as well as other students (e.g. those sitting behind or near them). May require the instructor to police technology use throughout the section. |
