December 2002 — In Box
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Laptop Classrooms Present New Teaching Challenges
..” One factor related to this is the number of students that an instructor can effectively deal with in a laptop classroom. If the students are to use their laptops in the computer environment, then invariably some will have problems with their software and/or machines. The more students, the more possible problems that can arise. Thus, the instructor has to be able to assist those having trouble from time to time. My experience has led me to conclude that 20 to 30 students are manageable in a laptop classroom. Any more would lead to delays, which are not well tolerated by students who tend to become distracted very quickly.There is no question that laptop classrooms present new challenges that require modifications in teaching style and approach. However, the effort expended to deal with these challenges is more than compensated by the opportunities that such classrooms present to utilize technology as a teaching and learning tool.
Lawrence E. Levine, Ph.D. (llevine@stevens-tech.edu)
Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
