Colleges can harness digital devices for learning

The School of Management of Qufu Normal University in Jining, Shandong province, has issued a regulation banning the use of mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers and other electronic products in class to “eliminate the adverse impact of mobile phones and other electronic products on the classroom”.

In 2023, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changchun University and many other higher education institutions vowed to tighten classroom discipline requirements, banning mobile phones and some other electronic devices, excluding laptop computers, in class.

The School of Management at QNU was the first to ban students using laptop computers in class. However, many college students find using tablets and laptops in class can improve the efficiency of classroom learning.

Compared with primary and secondary schools, the learning environment of universities should be more open and inclusive. College learning needs more inspiration, discussion and information, which electronic products, if properly used, can provide for some students.

It should not be assumed that all students have their studies adversely affected by bringing digital devices into the classroom. After all, many teachers also use computers in the classroom today in their teaching. It doesn’t make sense to force students to give up their devices when teachers no longer rely solely on chalk and blackboards.

In recent years, the Ministry of Education has vigorously implemented the national education digitalization strategic action, and many places have begun to explore ways to digitalize education. These teaching practices make it difficult for schools to completely reject electronic products in class.

At the same time, it can also be seen that the key to electronic device use in class is how to use them. The devices themselves don’t have original sin. How to make sure they better serve the educational purposes should be the focus of classroom discipline regulations.

Students should be encouraged to use all possible means to explore the frontier of the knowledge world. It is more advisable to raise the awareness of college students on how to better use digital gadgets in the digital age.

As for the final effect of the ban on the use of electronic devices in class, the School of Management of QNU should scientifically assess how much it can help realize its intended objectives. The final decision should be made according to the assessment results. In the process, the school should also seek the opinions of the students.