In the Fall 2021 semester, the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) pilot tested a laptop requirement for its first year students. The Fall 2021 pilot ensured the following:
- First-year students enrolled in the College of IST at University Park beginning in Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 would have their own laptop.
- Laptops would meet or exceed minimum technical specifications.
- Laptops would be used in designated “laptop-required” courses, for both in-class and out-of-class work.
The Pilot courses were chosen to be laptop-required courses because:
- all incoming first-year students were required to take these courses
- all instructors of these courses for first-year students agreed to prepare instructional activities that make use of laptop devices
The College’s and the University’s intent in establishing the pilot program was multi-faceted:
- reduce unfair advantages produced by disparities in student computing resources
- standardize learning opportunities for all with specified requirements
- empower faculty to use technology when and how it made sense in the context of their classes
The College of IST created numerous resources for instructors who want to make use of laptops during class meeting times. The materials they share here include policy statements to add to syllabi, example lesson plans, sample in-class laptop activities, and more!
- Activities to Consider
- Tools to Consider
- Templates of Lesson Plans
- Sample Syllabus Language
- For Students: Tips for Success with Technology (limiting distractions)
- Annotated Bibliography: Opportunities and Threats of Technology in Classrooms
- Example Device Policy: From “Distracted” book
Page contacts: Amy Garbrick and Lisa Lenze