<p>I've seen movies where people all take their laptops to class. Is there anything reality in this? Do people really take their laptops to class?</p>
<p>Yes, some do. The numbers vary from school to school and class to class. For example, very few people would bring computers to math class where as a class with downloadable content may have more laptops in it.</p>
<p>As laptops become more popular, more and more people bring them to class. Like TomK said, they vary by school and class. The class is really important. First it depends on whether its practical to bring a laptop. Any class with a lot of charts and graphs or other pictorial representations (unless you're super fast at doing them on your laptop-- which some people are) has a lot fewer laptops than other classes. I go to a big agriculture school, and obviously the practical (outside) ag classes just aren't going to work with a laptop. And then, there are the different styles of classes. I've been in communication classes where practically no one brings a laptop -- but people really didn't need to because the professors were pretty laid back and spoke slowly enough for people to keep up with writing. I've been in political science seminars where 100% of the students have laptops, but it was almost a necessity to keep up with the class.</p>
<p>Thanks, I've always been a really slow writer, so I figured bringing my laptop would really help, but I didn't know if I'd be the only one. I had a finance class in high school that was held in the computer lab, and being able to take notes on the computer was really nice. Especially since I'm such a perfectionist when it comes to my notes.</p>
<p>Definitely get a laptop then. You won't be the only one using it, trust me. The only thing is, everyone wants your notes come finals time. I don't mind sharing my notes, but sometimes it gets ridiculous.</p>
<p>Isn't it hard to take notes on a laptop - you only have the option of typed text, and a few formatting functions like underlining, capslock. When you have a notebook you can draw arrows, add pictures, make spider diagrams, highlight sections, put pencil marks around sections you need clarification on... Hand-writing notes just seems so much more practical and flexible.</p>
<p>It depends on the class. I know some people who are awesome enough at LaTeX to take notes on a laptop even in math classes. </p>
<p>Be careful though. Wireless is a huge temptation when class gets boring.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Isn't it hard to take notes on a laptop - you only have the option of typed text, and a few formatting functions like underlining, capslock. When you have a notebook you can draw arrows, add pictures, make spider diagrams, highlight sections, put pencil marks around sections you need clarification on... Hand-writing notes just seems so much more practical and flexible.
[/quote]
Download a demo of OneNote from Micrososft. You may be in for a treat.</p>
<p>Personally I think it's a good idea, but in reality it isn't practical. The temptation to use such programs as AIM would be too strong for a lot of people. However, I guess if you can use it productively then go for it.</p>
<p>Only those with a Tablet PC can use many of OneNote's features.</p>
<p>Okay- I don't know if this is true- but I've heard that laptops are annoying in class because if only one person is typing then it's just a random noise... but if a lot of people are typing, it's amplified and hard to concentrate. True/false?</p>
<p>Personally, technology is distracting. I'll probably be using good old pen and paper. I always find that I study best when typing my written notes up, anyway.</p>
<p>It's not distracting at all. I actually find it rather relaxing.</p>
<p>By the way, typing written notes up is a good idea.</p>
<p>Hmmm that's good to know (that it's relaxing). Laptops do seem to have a softer tapping than regular keyboards, too, so that makes sense. Maybe I heard that it was annoying from someone super anal lol.</p>
<p>But YES I love typing written notes. I kind of intertwine written notes with notes from textbooks to make really long detailed outlines. Then I print and three whole punch and keep them in a binder divided by units to study for finals.</p>
<p>But then again I'm super-organized.</p>
<p>I can never understand the use of notes! Especially retyping it up. I take notes and stuff in class but I've usually never look back at them.</p>
<p>It's already time consuming enough to read a textbook, but to constantly switch back and forth is going to take forever!</p>
<p>Notes are supposed to be written in a format that you know and understand. Plus, writing stuff out helps you remember and understand it. It's easier to understand concepts when you've written them out in terms you understand.</p>
<p>Wow, do MOST people type up their written notes?</p>
<p>I do. As TomK said, it forces you to read the notes line by line and helps you remember it.</p>
<p>i always type my notes up
it's very helpful</p>
<p>that sounds horrifying! Can't I just remember by going over what I wrote down?</p>
<p>I don't always type up my notes, but I always at least rewrite them.</p>