Now before the arguments start, I want to be clear about one thing. I am not saying that I disagree with using technology in the classroom altogether. I understand completely that with the advancements of today's technology, learning and participating in class becomes a lot easier for those that find it helpful. This article is strictly referring to the classes that are designed ninety percent online and require constantly bringing your laptop to and from class every day.

There are not enough words in the English language for me to describe how much I detest walking into a class on the first day and the first thing the professor says is that the homework, quizzes, and projects will all be online. This not only means that I will have to pay for a whole other system to use for a class I have already spent around four hundred dollars on, but also will have to return the hundred dollar textbook I already bought because after spending another hundred dollars on the website, the book is already provided, after purchasing the eighty dollar access code. On top of that, I now have to drag my expensive and fragile laptop through possible rain, snow, and whatever else mother nature decides to screw me over with that day.

So now after spending an extra hundred dollars, I am essentially sitting in a classroom, taking notes, completing assigning, reading the assigned texts, and studying for quizzes and exams. Essentially, spending extra money to sit in a classroom and take on online course. I did not sign up for an online course, because I know for my brain to retain knowledge and learn successfully, I personally need the sit-down and lecture type of classroom. So to force me to learn most of the material on my own, and paying more money to do so than it is to simply just sign up for an online class, is completely unnecessary.

Taking notes in a class because you are a faster than a faster writer is completely your choice. But my problem with using my laptop to take notes is that it makes me feel as if I am not retaining the information. It has been proven by so many research studies, and even just students learning how to study efficiently that taking notes by hand helps with memorization more than taking notes while typing them on a laptop. I would much rather bring my six notebooks to class and not stress too much when having to run to class in the rain rather than desperately pressing my laptop bag close to my chest and pray it works when I arrive for class.

Furthermore, what happens to the student who does not have the luxury of a portable laptop? With college being as expensive as it is, it is a little outrageous that professors design their classes to succeed only if they have a laptop at their disposal whenever they need it. If a student is already paying thousands of dollars to attend college, it might be a little harder for them to cough up the extra money to buy another expensive luxury item. Not saying that it is impossible, but definitely challenging, especially when you have to set aside money for textbooks, school supplies, grocery money, rent money, bills, and the list goes on from there.

Therefore, taking a laptop to and from class is not only unnecessary but more difficult for all parties involved. Due to money, weather, efficient learning, and so much more, laptops in a classroom are proven to just be a hassle rather than helpful in some cases.