Tech University Institute Bans Electronic Devices From Classrooms
Published: 02.02.2012 12:09
Photo: Postimees/Scanpix
On February 1, the Tallinn University of Technology’s Institute of Public Administration barred students from using any electronic devices in class, including laptops and cell phones.
The restriction, which according to the institute aims to reduce factors interfering with academic work, came as a surprise to most of the university-goers, Postimees reported.
"This kind of restriction may be implemented in grade schools but not at universities, where students decide for themselves how they will pass their subjects," said student Taavi Loog, adding that around 80 percent of his classmates use computers to take notes and search for additional learning material.
Representatives of the school's student body were also not informed of the change, Tauri Kärson, chairman of the university’s student council said. Student reps, however, said that they would hold back from forming an opinion on the matter until after the institute's management has explained the reasoning behind the ban.
Ingrid Teesalu