By Brian Malcom
While "attractive nuisance" would be a terrific band name for a bunch of law students who are wannabe rock stars, it is also what a Georgetown law professor is calling laptops in the classroom. In case you missed it, Washington Post has the story here.
Apparently, the professor has shaky confidence in his ability to sustain the rapt attention of his audience while the Internet and solitaire are tempting their wandering eyes.
I can't imagine why. I know my mind never wandered to espn.com when we were discussing the Rule Against Perpetuities in law school. Why would I care about my March Madness bracketology when the Testator's heirs' interest in Blackacre is hanging by a measuring life? Why?!
Another problem with laptops in the classrooms, according to the professor, is that they can be used to spread rumors. I know I got all of the juciest gossip in law school during class and straight from the professor's mouth. This piece of logic ignores the fact that PDAs are just as capable at spreading rumors as laptops and even more portable.
Despite this insult to the students' ability to manage their own attention spans, some students support the ban on laptops in the classroom. Most say they are more engaged in classroom discussion and could concentrate easier.
What are your thoughts?