Laptops Make Law Students Dumber, Says Prof

One Rutgers law professor has banned laptops from his classroom entirely, saying they are more of a distraction than a learning tool. “While virtually all of [the students] have open laptops and most are taking notes, many seem more intent on emailing and texting, posting on social media, reading news sites, shopping online, or looking at YouTube videos,” Stuart P. Green wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. “I recently saw one student systematically checking out law firm websites for summer associate salaries. Another spent an entire class streaming an NHL hockey game.” Green did not specify whether his electronics ban extended to smart phones. Though Green says he’s sure students will “roll their eyes” at his policy, he hopes they will “realize that there is much to be said for being liberated from their devices.”