Internet is blocked in Cornell classrooms?

[vjm]

Not that I am really on either side in this debate but, taking notes usually has a relatively static screen, black on white. Internet surfing has rapidly shifting screens with lots of colors and images. I can see how this could be distracting,especially to people sitting behind you who can see your screen. I also can see how it can seem terrifically disrespectful to the teacher.

But I am really all for individual choice. If you flunk out because you can't stay off etsy.com, that's your problem.

[kill the headlights]

Silly BS. If I want to pay 40k+ and sit in the classroom and read espn.com, then I should have the right. We're freaking adults. What's next, installing porn-filters on the  library computers?

On the other hand, law schools reasonably could argue that browsing the internet, chatting via an instant messenging client, or writing e-mails during class can be distracting to other students surrounding the one doing those activities.  Relying on that premise, it may make sense to ban internet use in the class. 

In essence, although one student may not wish to pay attention on a given day, it's not fair to other students if they are distracted by the first student, especially if these other students really do want to hear what's going on in class.  After all, these other students who are being distracted are also paying $40,000 to sit in the class.

This is not the correct response. If someone gets distracted that easily they have bigger fish to fry than laptop use in class. If different colors on a screen four feet away from you makes it so you can't pay attention that is sad. How are you going to manage in a work environment if you get distracted that easily. If you asked people in the cubicle to make it so you can't hear their music they will probably laugh their head off. Don't punish other people because of your inability to pay attention. That is like asking people to not drive flashy cars because other people can't pay attention on the road and it may cause an accident.

While I don't think someone paying 40,000 dollars is a good enough reason alone to let them use the internet I do think people can limit internet use if they wanted to. It is their school and their internet. I, however, would sign the petition to make internet use permitted in class again.

[vjm]

Silly BS. If I want to pay 40k+ and sit in the classroom and read espn.com, then I should have the right. We're freaking adults. What's next, installing porn-filters on the  library computers?

On the other hand, law schools reasonably could argue that browsing the internet, chatting via an instant messenging client, or writing e-mails during class can be distracting to other students surrounding the one doing those activities.  Relying on that premise, it may make sense to ban internet use in the class. 

In essence, although one student may not wish to pay attention on a given day, it's not fair to other students if they are distracted by the first student, especially if these other students really do want to hear what's going on in class.  After all, these other students who are being distracted are also paying $40,000 to sit in the class.

This is not the correct response. If someone gets distracted that easily they have bigger fish to fry than laptop use in class. If different colors on a screen four feet away from you makes it so you can't pay attention that is sad. How are you going to manage in a work environment if you get distracted that easily. If you asked people in the cubicle to make it so you can't hear their music they will probably laugh their head off. Don't punish other people because of your inability to pay attention. That is like asking people to not drive flashy cars because other people can't pay attention on the road and it may cause an accident.

While I don't think someone paying 40,000 dollars is a good enough reason alone to let them use the internet I do think people can limit internet use if they wanted to. It is their school and their internet. I, however, would sign the petition to make internet use permitted in class again.

I think you just captured in one succinct phrase how BOTH sides of this debate feel.

[kill the headlights]

I agree, that said, I would emphatically try to make it so you can browse the internet, because I am can multitask and not worry about what people are viewing on their screens next to me.

But I do see the other side, I think schools can do what they want. But I think if enough students want to see it changed they have that power also.

[clairel]

Silly BS. If I want to pay 40k+ and sit in the classroom and read espn.com, then I should have the right. We're freaking adults. What's next, installing porn-filters on the  library computers?

On the other hand, law schools reasonably could argue that browsing the internet, chatting via an instant messenging client, or writing e-mails during class can be distracting to other students surrounding the one doing those activities.  Relying on that premise, it may make sense to ban internet use in the class. 

In essence, although one student may not wish to pay attention on a given day, it's not fair to other students if they are distracted by the first student, especially if these other students really do want to hear what's going on in class.  After all, these other students who are being distracted are also paying $40,000 to sit in the class.

honestly, from what i've seen, only a gunner would get distracted.  i sometimes go online for a whole class and no one pays attention to me.  that's pretty much the same for anyone.

same here. MCB saw me on perez during a mock class during ASW here. i've since moved on to dlisted.

a few of my friends have had people behind them asking them not to visit gossip sites because of "flashy ads" and "scantily clad women" (i kid you not, i can't make this stuff up). if someone cares enough to risk alienating other people by their in-class intensity, i would try to contain my web surfing. but to be honest, there are often moments in class where either a) some obnoxious person is taking up time with pointless discussion and i feel like tuning out, b) it's election season, or c) i am hungover or super tired/i have a horribly boring professor where paying attention in class has no effect on finals grades.

[Kevin '11]

Agree with saasen.

That said, one of my favorite pastimes in a boring lecture is to sit in the back and see what people in front of me are doing on the Internet.

Favorite so far: guy frantically trying to find a place to buy flowers two Valentines days ago.  It was 9:30 pm 

Runner up:  As teacher read sample questions for the upcoming midterm, which were clearly written by the textbook publisher, a student finding a website with the full test bank of questions and answers. 

Honorable Mention:  Porn!  I couldn't believe it either...... 

[Hakuna matata]

Yes, the internet is blocked in the Cornell Law lecture halls.  Some tech-savvy people might be able to figure out a way around it though, because I've seen people IMming in class.  It's not that there is no wireless signal; they just scramble it in the room or something.  Maybe you can use bluetooth to connect to the internet?  I have no idea.

It's actually nice not to have internet access though. Being forced to pay attention in class and to take notes isn't a bad thing...  And a lot of professors let you use your notes on the finals, so you really wouldn't be doing yourself any favors by being online instead of taking notes.  And you're in class for like 4 hours out of a day, max.  It's not the end of the world.

Some of the smaller classrooms are not blocked though, so people can use internet in those rooms.  The wireless signal in those smaller rooms work much better for Macs than PCs though.

HTH

-Cornell 1L