With high-tech gadgets such as laptops and PDA's quickly making their way onto student's school supply lists, and noting the number of students with cell phones attached to their ears as they walk around campus, there is no question that these devices have become almost as big a part of student life as textbooks. However, the question of whether or not they help or hinder the learning process has varying responses.
"It is what is expected of the modern person in the work world," said Dave Smith, a first year executive MBA student. "It's tough to expect somebody to function out there without a computer."
While computers were the must-have in technology 20 years ago, today laptops, PDA's and cell phones with innumerable features take over as high-tech tools and toys.
According to Dr. Barbara Sherman, a professor of computer science and engineering, these new technological tools can be useful to students.
"The beauty of a portable like a laptop is the fact that you can take it with you, and have the same machine that you're working on at home, be available to you at school," she said. "PDA's can be useful, it is basically a miniaturization with all the same functions as a laptop."
Freshman aerospace engineering major, James Brown, agreed that portable devices are helpful to most students.
"With laptops you can do your work in between classes," he said.
Dr. Rohini Srihari, an associate professor for the Department of Computer Science, agreed that certain electronic devices have benefits.
"(It) avoids the problem of losing paper and transcribing things afterwards," he said.
According to faculty members there are significant disadvantages to the advent of high-tech tools in the classroom.
Sherman described a scenario in which a student uses a cell phone with a camera feature to take photos of an exam in an early class. This example she said shows how high-tech tools can be a hindrance to learning by facilitating academic dishonesty.
"I was never worried about banning cell phones but it might be something we will have to look into," she said.
Some students said there are other more obvious reasons why cell phones can be disruptive in class.
"Cell phones are distracting when they ring in class," said Amanda DiLauro, a senior majoring in social sciences. " I always turn mine to silent."
While many people consider cell phones no more than a possible disruption when in a learning environment, other devices, like laptops and PDA's, which can be useful when used for academic purposes also have the potential for distraction.
"One of the biggest distractions is email and instant messenger," said Srihari. "You get an email, (and) you feel like you have to respond to it right away."
According to Srihari, even surfing the web, whether during class or elsewhere, can be a serious diversion for students, who may not realize the amount of time they spend on useless sites. In this regard, Srihari said the usefulness versus the potential for distraction of a particular device depends on the individual.
"They're very good if one knows how to use them in a disciplined way," said Srihari.
Sherman points out the fact that while high-tech devices have potential to make a student's life easier, they are in most cases costly and are not foolproof, since machines can malfunction or freeze and material can be lost.
There may be psychological disadvantages to relying solely on machines during the learning process, Sherman said.
"There have been some studies psychologically that show people learn better when they actually write things down, and typing on a keyboard is not the same activity for your brain as writing," Sherman said.
Along with psychological drawbacks, Sherman said the issue of how high-tech gadgets affect learning poses problems in other aspects of student life.
" It comes down to the digital haves and have-nots, some students have the money to pay for these toys and others don't," she said. "So it becomes a social issue as well as economic."
For those who can afford high-tech gadgets, she said not to be tempted to have the latest and greatest. A low-budget machine will serve your needs just as well as a fancy expensive one.
"You have to match the devices and the tools with your personality and lifestyle."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
