Ummmm, not so much. It seems to interfere with learning. The Case Against Laptops in the Classroom -- Science of Us
Is that on the honor system or does this professor try to disallow it technologically? I'd think that the second way would be pretty challenging in this era of mobile hotspots....
I've had both (professors who allow, those who don't), and I've used a laptop to take notes because my typing is faster and more legible than my writing, but I don't get online unless it's part of the class. I haven't taught a face-to-face class since laptops became standard issue, but I wouldn't care. If a student wants to surf Facebook or do online shopping during class, what do I care? They're paying to be there, and I get paid regardless, so if they want to waste their time and money, that's on them. Just don't come crying to me when your final grades come out.
I originally found laptop use in the classroom to be a distraction, but I quickly got over it by designing my classroom sessions to be more interactive and involve physical movement. The sessions are better and the laptop users have to get away from their keyboards and screens. Then, when I'm lecturing, I can stand it a bit better. Oh, and I always pepper the class with questions and then redirect the conversation to all students, including those with laptops. They have to pay attention because the conversation can come their way at any moment. I agree with Bruce--they own the bottom line of learning, not me. But I also recognize that everyone's learning is interdependent--students rely upon each other to learn. I can't have a part of my classroom sitting that out, so I ensure they don't.
I find them a serious teaching distraction. There is always one smarty pants that will question everything in the material, "because Wikipedia says differently"...
