Ouch... You know what, I am a university professor, and am pretty sure you cannot prohibit the use of laptops/tablet PCs in class. I would recommend that students take this issue to the department chair. This seems rather arbitrary.

I do disallow the use of computers during exams, as the wireless capabilities of laptops/tablets can create situations of trouble (chatting, googling, etc). Perhaps it is the disruption caused by the noise of typing and other noises/sounds from the computers. I don't know...

It would help to understand the issue if we knew the reasons this particular professor does this. I don't think it is anyone's interest to not let students use computers.

But the best advice for students (and this comes from a professor), is that in any event, do not accept arbitrary measures (like this one seems) without a thorough, well rationalized and justifiable reason(s).

I am also a University Prof, and I have to disagree with Fernando's feeling that this professor is in the wrong. As an instructor, you have the academic freedom to teach your course the way you see fit (within ethical guidelines of your department or U). If the prof chooses to not have technology in the classroom, then the students must abide. The reason for this ban on technology is not important, IMO, as the prof has the right to choose the method of facilitating his/her classroom.

Now, personally I don't allow cell phones or pagers in my class. And, if a student uses a computer, they better not be on the web while in my class (I toss the student out). These are my choices and no administrator nor other professor will get me to change my views on this.

I teach a couple of Physical Ed classes at the local college.
Believe it or not, I've had students bring their laptops to class.
When the heads all are turned to said student, you know he/she isn't
typing class notes...
If it is an activity where a laptop used for reference helps the student, its fine, but otherwise I ask them not to use them.

Unless you can strap your laptop on, run with it, and type, I tell them to leave them in their back packs.

I disallow ringing cell phones, PSP, iPods, etc...sorry I guess I'm old fashioned.

Sorry hit the button too soon.

The computer Professor has told me that he may prohibit
computers in some of his computer course lectures.
(He of course will allow them for the labs)

He has had some problems with the students "goofing off" during
his lectures...surfing the web, playing games, instant messaging to
other students etc. and these are computer students.

I am also a University prof, and I am pretty sure that different schools have different rules.

Personally, I disagree with the first poster who says the prof should be able to articulate a thorough, well rationalized, and justifiable reason. In particular, the prof should not have to answer to the students unless that is the culture and rule base of the school.

I would like to add that we in this forum are unlikely to get the full story. Students sometimes actually misread or misreport the contents of the syllabus. My faculty was recently notified of a sophisticated computer-based cheating ring in another university. The situation may be complicated beyond our ability to analyze it here. I have heard of cases of students misrepresenting a conflict with a professor to make it seem more reasonable to outsiders.

I look for opportunities to encourage the use of computers in the classroom but I don't think everyone can. And I hardly think computers are the most important ingredient in the classroom.

Wow, well, nothing else to it but to disband all teachers unions.

"the prof should not have to answer to the students"...Uhm, who do you think pays your salary?!?!

"As an instructor, you have the academic freedom to teach your course the way you see fit"...So if you want to mandate inkwells, that should be fine then?!?

This is why students aren't getting an education today, even though they're paying through the nose for one. Luddite tenured profs more interested in power trips and age-old dogma than efficiently explaining ideas and processes with the best tools available.

It's 2008 people...class notes, references, books, even lectures themselves are all online these days. Throw in some decent video conferencing and some freelance teachers with this widely available material and serious students/teachers will learn/teach from anywhere in the world. Think of the possibilities, direct payments to teachers based on their skills in TEACHING, not union drones or university administration who can't keep the lights on. Updated digital material; portable, accessible, easily referenced and discussed online, the latest trends in the field, learning at your own pace instead of being held back by students who are not paying attention or setting up drug deals, etc...
Or...you can shuffle daily into moldy buildings at designated places at designated times, manually scribble overheads of un-updated material from designated profs that don't care or maybe don't even speak your language very well.

A free market in teaching is close at hand now...technology like the kind reviewed here will make it inevitable. Banning it will leave you out of a job...hope you're close to retirement.