Get it in gear with the latest gadgets

August 14, 2008

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Paul Irish

STAFF REPORTER

Mind your tech etiquette

Educators across the GTA are scrambling to keep students focussed on learning, as technology such as iPhones, Blackberries and Facebook pose increasingly tempting distractions in the classroom.

Most local school boards have solved the problem by simply banning all cellphones and laptops during class. But colleges and universities are reluctant to take such drastic action.

As a result, professors complain that post-secondary students will often plop themselves down, immediately log onto Facebook or chatroom websites and peck away on the keyboard – ignoring the instructor and disrupting the class.

Henry Decock, assistant vice president of academics at Seneca College, says cellphones are banned during class, but admits that laptops do cause distractions on occasion.

"In those cases, the instructors have the right to tell the person using the device they are causing a disturbance preventing the others from learning," he says. "Seneca is always looking at the issue, but we're hoping – as time goes by – society as whole will come to an agreement on when and where these electronic devices can be used."

Trustee Josh Matlow of the Toronto District School Board agrees. He helped craft the cellphone ban in city schools and suggests there is an "etiquette of respect" that is being ignored when students bring technology into the classroom.

"You have an instructor or a professor pouring out his or her heart during a lecture," he said. "The proper and right thing to do is listen, learn and contribute."

– Paul Irish

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The days when going back to school meant stocking up on notebooks, pencils and paper are long gone. For many students, the only apple they'll be bringing to class will be one loaded with microchips.

Just ask Alex Berube, 18, of Whitby, who believes his recent purchase of the new Apple iPhone will help put his school and social life in order.

"It can pretty well do everything,'' says the second-year advertising student at Durham College. "I can do (essay) research on the Internet with it when I'm in the middle of nowhere."

Most of his professors keep in touch with students via email, so Berube says the iPhone will help him keep on top of his courses.

Berube says the phone costs him about $100 a month, a price he's willing to pay to stay plugged in to school, family, friends and the rest of the world.

Laptops are still hot for teens and post-secondary students, but some are opting for the more portable USB drives.

Sandisk sells Cruzer Gator and Cruzer Pattern USB drivesthat allow students to save all their documents, pictures, video clips and MP3 files on one pocket-sized drive and leave the laptop at home.

Outfitted with U3 technology, these drives allow students to carry their software as well as their files. This means students can work, play games, message friends, email, edit photos and more, just by plugging the device into any school PC.

And when the drive is unplugged, it leaves no personal data behind.

The SanDisk Cruzer Gator is available in faux gator designs in pink (2GB) $40, red (4GB) $70 and black (8GB) $130 at office supply stores and www.sandisk.com. The Cruzer Pattern is available in grey (1GB) $10 and black (2GB) for $15.

It's been said that fame has eluded many a great thinker simply because they didn't know how to present their ideas. Microsoft's Office Home and Student 2007 can help you whip up slick documents and presentations, with specialized templates such as Science Fair. It also comes with One Note 2007, which lets students organize, search and share notes.

When it's time to print your project, choose from a wide range of entry-level printers. Epson's new Stylus NX400 prints up to 34 pages per minute and costs about $100.

Carrying all these gadgets (never mind books) back and forth to class requires a durable and multi-functional backpack.

The Targus Messenger Fusion laptop case comes with three interchangeable shoulder straps to add style and personality. Two colour schemes are available: charcoal with cool grey, lime green and black straps, or wheat with mushroom, burnt orange and khaki straps. Available at targus.ca for $79.99.

Peruse the rest of our back-to-school section.

Toronto Star