Most college administrators would like to get portable computers into the hands of as many students as possible, but officials at China’s Zhejiang University have a rather different goal in mind: They’re begging freshmen to leave their laptops at home.
Zhejiang, one of China’s most prestigious institutions, has taken the unusual step to combat a growing problem with Internet addiction, reports the Shanghai Daily. During the last academic year, 90 students quit the university, 60 of whom left because they had become addicted to surfing the Web.
The university is hoping to herd students to its own computer labs, where they may be less likely to spend hours typing away. But students point out that Internet addicts can still get a fix at any of China’s popular, all-night Internet cafes. —Brock Read
Developing online and blended learning programs requires research and collaboration. Learn how top technology companies are partnering with campuses across the country to advance online learning as it becomes an increasingly important aspect of higher education.