University Says Laptop Ban Improves Learning
The quality of the learning environment has improved greatly since one of the departments at the Tallinn University of Technology banned laptops and smartphones from lectures, according to staff.
The ban was enforced in February by the university's institute of public administration. Rainer Kattel, the institute's director, says that students didn't use the computers for study purposes but for reading the news and checking the goings-on of Facebook, reported Postimees.
“Feedback from the professors has been very positive. There is a completely different atmosphere in the lectures and seminars. Discussion and communication with instructors has significantly improved,” said Kattel. “To be honest, it is difficult to understand why we didn't do it earlier.”
Kattel said students are also content - or at least they no longer protest the policy. The ban, he said, will remain standing.
“We had thorough discussions with various student representatives during February and we generally reached a mutual understanding,” Kattel said.