Short version: If you use a laptop (or other device) in class, please be mindful that you may be distracting others.
There are many very legitimate reasons that people use laptops and tablets in class.
However, screen can be really distracting to the people around you. All those things designed to catch your eye are also catching the attention of others. In fact, some of the readings might help you appreciate this. Much web content is designed to attract the human eye. Whether it is on your screen or someone else’s. Things like bright colors and motion are particularly hard to avoid since the visual system is very sensitive to them in the periphery.
And, if you’re doing something that is not class related, that makes matters worse. It’s one thing for you to decide that you want to be distracted. But if you’re preventing others from learning by distracting them, that’s really bad.
I don’t want to try to restrict what people do, or even define what “legitimate class related use” is. But, I do ask that people try to avoid doing things that may be distracting to others. And generally be thoughtful about the people around you. They can see your screen. They can see your reactions to what is on your screen.
If this continues to be a problem, I will take some action. But for now, I am hoping that making people aware of the problem will improve the situation.
