No Laptop; No Notes

Wednesday, November 02, 2005, at 01:05PM

By Eric Richardson

From an announcement for the class I'm in right now (it hasn't started yet):

With respect for your fellow students, laptop computers may not be used during the discussion portion of the class. In addition there will be no talking during the discussion, except for those who are participating in the discussion. If you need to discuss an issue with a friend please do so outside of the classroom.

Dumbest policy ever. If I can't use a laptop I promise I'm not taking notes.

Update (8pm): Let me just update this to clarify that my annoyance is largely built on the midterm for this class, which of any exam I've taken in my nine semesters here was the most anal about the process of taking a test. Bags on the sides of the room; have to show your ID when you turn in the test; emphasis placed on there being cameras in the room to catch any cheating. That was dumb.

Yes, people should be quiet and respect the class. But don't go turn people off to the class by making up overbearing rules. Just punish those who don't act properly.