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Laptop actually used for note-taking in class ‘I can type more than 95 words per minute,’ says student by Stephen Short, Associate Editor
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CAMPUS — Government junior Anthony Moorhead finds dictating lecture notes on his laptop easier than taking notes by hand.
“This stunning and innovative piece of technology allows me to record essential lecture points the instant they are uttered from Professor’s mouth,” bragged Moorhead, caressing the keyboard of his sleek PowerBook G4.
“By typing my notes, I can easily archive them for later viewing. I don’t have to worry about dropping my pen or running out of college-ruled paper,” said Moorhead. “Not that I would ever commit such a grave error.”
Refraining from instant messaging during lectures, Moorhead spends two hours each day creating a PowerPoint presentation from his notes.
“People need to wake up and smell the coffee. The future of note-taking is here, and that future is a Word document,” said Moorhead, massaging his wrists due to the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. “Put down your pencils, class. Time is up.”
Classmates admit their astonishment to Moorhead’s note-taking method.
“I don’t understand how anyone could resist idly surfing the Internet during class,” said sophomore Brent Rosenbaum. “Every class, after I’ve looked at all my friends’ photo albums on Facebook and counted the tiles on the ceiling, I look down at the front row and there he is — taking notes!”
“Sometimes I get uneasy and self-conscious because I feel that if he’s typing that much, I should probably be doing the same thing,” explained Rosenbaum. “But then I just IM the guy sitting next to me, and he rolls his eyes and goes back to searching for discount sunglasses on eBay.”
Rosenbaum added, “I bet that guy is really smart or something.”
Professor Michael Jacobi instructs the government lecture Moorhead and Rosenbaum attend.
“I think computers in the classroom are a valuable educational tool,” noted Professor Jacobi. “Not only do they look neat, but they save paper, too.”
Professor Jacobi touted additional benefits for bringing a laptop to his lecture.
“I’ve noticed a remarkable trend among pupils who bring a laptop with them to campus,” declared Professor Jacobi. “They actively participate in class.”
He continued: “Students with a pen and paper respond with chronic blank stares and dull faces. Students with laptops are active, recording every word I say while sporadically giggling amongst themselves.”
However, Dr. Jacobi noted students with laptops shared an uncanny interest in mundane trivia.
“It is odd,” remarked Dr. Jacobi. “Last week I rhetorically asked myself when Maximillian I of Mexico was born. Everyone with a laptop responded in unison, ‘Maximillian von Hapsburg was born on July 6, 1832, and was a member of Austria’s imperial family.’”
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