The Chronicle: Colloquy: The question

THE QUESTION

More than 100 colleges now require their students to own computers, and many more insist that students at least have access to them. Proponents of such policies argue that computers are critical to students' academic success and that colleges should do all they can to ensure access to them. But some colleges have opted not to require computers, fearing that the cost to students is too high.

The Chronicle organized a discussion of the topic involving two administrators: David G. Brown, a vice president at Wake Forest University and dean of the university's International Center for Computer Enhanced Learning; and Michael B. Sperling, associate provost for interdisciplinary, distributed, and global learning at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Wake Forest was one of the first universities to require students to purchase computers, and all students on that campus are equipped with laptops. Fairleigh Dickinson seriously considered a computer requirement but ultimately decided against it.

Should more colleges require students to own computers? Or are such requirements gimmicks that are not worth the cost to students?

For further information, see this background article:

Should Colleges Require Students to Buy Computers? 2 Administrators Exchange Views (3/19/2002)

: 21 RESPONSES (New 4/11)

JOIN THE DEBATE

STEP 1: Your contact information (required)

Your name:

Your title & institution:

Your phone:

Your e-mail address:

STEP 2: Your comments

STEP 3: Submit!

Be sure to include your name and affiliation. Legitimate requests for anonymity will be honored.

The Chronicle maintains Colloquy as an open forum where readers can comment on issues. Submissions may be condensed or edited for clarity, but editing is kept to a minimum. We correct errors in spelling, punctuation, etc. In addition, we remove statements that have the potential to be libelous or to slander someone. In cases in which people make claims that could be libelous, we will remove the names of institutions and departments. But in those cases, we will not alter the ideas contained in the submissions.

Please read our privacy policy or our Colloquy help page if you have questions.

Check this box only if you would like this submission to be considered for publication as a letter to the editor in the printed Chronicle.