Paul A. Kirschner

OK; I’ve covered taking notes with or without laptops and whether people learn better if they read from paper or screen. This is the third blog in an apparent, unplanned, trilogy.

Disclaimer: Let’s sketch/frame the situation so there are no misunderstandings. Yes, I know that using a computer (e.g., laptop, tablet, smartphone) can be effective in certain situations so this blog isn’t plea for pure lecture or totally banning the use of laptops in schools. Yes, of course, there are situations where it’s necessary to use a laptop in the class, so add this to the previous. And finally, yes, some teachers can be boring but that’s not a reason to do something else in the class than learn.

Let’s start with an analogy. You’re a non-smoker and you go out to eat in a restaurant, catch a ride with someone in a car, or are…