In the Classroom

Classroom Technology

For each of your classes, determine what the professor's policy is on technology in the classroom, and follow it.

Professors have specific reasons for why they want laptops or phones closed or put away. Others may require you to bring a laptop to class. If so, be sure to have it charged and ready to use.

You can likely find directions on technology use in a course syllabus. If not, ask the professor.

If a professor permits students to use a laptop in class, use it for class business. Shopping, watching unrelated video, doing homework for other classes, or even just reading emails is rude and detracts from your learning. Moreover, it can be distracting for students around you in the class.

The above advice parallels the professional world. In a variety of future jobs you may need to have a laptop with you during business hours, whether or not it is immediately useful. Using phones or laptops to multi-task during important gatherings is conspicuous and will not impress coworkers, clients or supervisors.

Tips:

Ask your professor if you can photograph what is written on the board, at the conclusion of classtime.
An effective method for learning is to re-copy your classroom notes afterward. If you are unable to use a laptop in the classroom, why not type in your notes after class? You then have a digital, searchable copy of your notes, but also revisit the material well before an exam, which helps you absorb and reflect upon what you learned, and connect it to other concepts in the course.
Install your Canisius email account, and Google Calendar on your phone. Just before and after a class, you can quickly coordinate meetings with professors and fellow students, without forgetting the date and time.

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