Legal Commentary

At Concurring Opinions, Donald Braman discusses Larry Mitchell's (glowing) report on his recent experience with "laptopless" law-classes.  Braman notes, among other things:

One cautionary note about going laptopless for those who are considering the move -- it can leave both students and professors feeling a bit exposed. A crowd of people looking at screens and a crowd of people staring directly at you are two very different things.

Something to think about!

I decided, this semester -- after several years of hand-wringing -- not to permit the use of laptops or other electronic devices in my Constitutional Law and Freedom of Religion courses.  So, the comments to Braman's post are helpful (and a bit sobering).  I hope -- genuinely -- that my decision will enhance my students' experience, and help them learn.  That is, the decision does not reflect a selfish desire to be the object of attention, or a hostility to technology, etc.  I really have become convinced not just that the class will be more fun, but that the students will learn more and better.  I could be wrong, of course.  We'll see . . ..