Laptop Computers in the Classroom: Friend or Foe?

While some people argue that laptops in the classroom are a major distraction to students, others, like Dr. Gary S. Stager, are for the technology. Dr. Stager is a world-renowned educator and consultant who strongly supports the use of laptops in the classroom. He is one of the pioneers of the 1:1 laptop movement and has spent the last fifteen years working closely with students who own personal computers.

In his book, “Never Mind the Laptops: Kids, Computers, and the Transformation of Learning,” Bob Johnstone tells of Dr. Stager’s quest to make laptops available to all students. Why is he so bent on providing laptops to students? Because he believes: “we owe it to out kids to educate them in a medium of their time.”

The fact is students rely on laptops both in and out of the classroom. Laptops are mobile and can be taken just about anywhere, including field trips. Students can use laptops to take notes, study material, research for papers and write papers. Laptops are also useful for classroom presentations.