These days, many schools require every student to have a laptop computer. Some schools even include a computer in the tuition. It is a relatively new phenomenon, but is it a good one? Do laptops aid the learning process or take away from it? As with any major change, there are pros and cons.These days, many children grow up with computers and common consumer electronics in their home. Some kids can type faster than their parents, and can troubleshoot basic computer problems that their parents cannot figure out. But this is a matter of availability. Others take computer classes and typing lessons in high school and even middle school. In college, basic computer skills and decent typing skills can come in handy. Taking notes on a computer is much easier for some people, because many people can type twice as fast as they write. Plus, on a computer screen, it is much easier to organize thoughts. Instead of crossing things out and making a mess of the page, a computer has a DELETE key.However, this is purely a matter of preference. Whichever method is more efficient for a particular student is the method they should use. If he or she likes to take notes on paper and scratch things out and draw charts, illustrations, arrows, etc., a notebook and pen can suffice.The biggest distractions a laptop would provide are games and the internet. Pretty much every single computer comes with pre-installed games, Solitaire being the most common. If parents are worried about games being a distraction, they can be uninstalled easily (through an uninstaller, usually located in the control panel).As for the internet, it is a tremendous distraction for students who love to surf the web and who prefer social activities to academic ones. Perhaps the easiest way to prevent students from surfing the web or chatting on instant messaging applications is to block wireless internet access. Most laptops these days come with a built in wireless card which are designed to automatically pick up on any wireless signals in the area. This means free and easy internet access without any wires or outlets required. Schools can take precautions to see that there is no reachable internet access in the classrooms, though in the cafeterias, lounges, and libraries, internet access should be allowed.The internet is not always a negative thing. It is, to some, the best, fastest, and most efficient source of information. Also, the web is a wonderful way for students to keep in touch with family and friends when they go off on their own. But in the classroom, the internet can be very distracting.One of the very best reasons to allow laptops in classrooms is Microsoft Word. Most teachers and professors today require that every document that is to be turned in must be typed. Microsoft Word is the most commonly used word processor. Plus, students can set up templates. For example, if the professor wants a three-page essay turned in weekly, the student can have a template already arranged with their name and information, as well as any required headers, footers, margins, spacing and page numbers.In today’s fast-paced world, laptops are a fantastic classroom tool. Simple measures can be taken to prevent abuse and misuse, but it is inevitable that there will be rule-breakers. However, faculty should keep in mind that not everyone is a perfect student and not everyone cares to learn, with or without the laptops. Trial and error is the only way to know for sure if the use of laptops in the classroom is appropriate in any particular school. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society