Classrooms With Laptops, Without Power
An interview with T-Bone the Teacher
by Robert Kroon
“It often happens mid-lesson, especially if it's a longer class. A student will be actively engaged, taking notes or working on an assignment, and then their screen goes black. Sometimes they'll quietly try to find an outlet, which can be disruptive if they're moving around the room. Other times, they'll raise their hand and ask if they can charge it, which interrupts the flow of the lesson.”
August Berres: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. We're interested in learning more about the challenges teachers face in today's technology-driven classrooms. One specific area we'd like to discuss is the issue of students bringing laptops to class that need to be recharged.
T-Bone the Teacher: It's definitely a common issue. Thanks for having me.
August Berres: To start, could you describe a typical scenario you've encountered with a student whose laptop has run out of battery?
T-Bone the Teacher: Sure. It often happens mid-lesson, especially if it's a longer class. A student will be actively engaged, taking notes or working on an assignment, and then their screen goes black. Sometimes they'll quietly try to find an outlet, which can be disruptive if they're moving around the room. Other times, they'll raise their hand and ask if they can charge it, which interrupts the flow of the lesson.
August Berres: What are some of the immediate challenges this situation presents?
T-Bone the Teacher: Well, first, it disrupts the student's learning. They're no longer able to participate fully in the lesson. Second, it can be a distraction for other students. Everyone's attention is drawn to the situation. And third, it takes up valuable class time. Finding an outlet, getting the charger situated, it all adds up.
August Berres: Do you have enough outlets in your classroom to accommodate students who need to charge their devices?
T-Bone the Teacher: That's a big part of the problem. No, we don't. Classrooms weren't designed with every student needing to plug in a device. Outlets are limited, and often they're not conveniently located. Sometimes students have to run cords across the aisle, which is a tripping hazard.
August Berres: How do you typically handle a situation where a student needs to charge their laptop?
T-Bone the Teacher: I try to be accommodating, but it's not always easy. If there's an available outlet nearby, I'll let them use it. But if not, or if multiple students need to charge at the same time, I have to make a judgment call. Sometimes I have to tell them they'll have to manage without it for the rest of the class period.
August Berres: How do you think this issue impacts student learning overall?
Above: An August Berres CampFire four-place desk. Four students can charge their laptops during class, not after class. Combine this with a Respond! 2.0 sit-stand desk for the instructor, and a Juce cordless display to furnish a complete e-learning classroom.
Add a Fault-managed power reciever to charge batteries and power a classroom Wi-Fi for a budget-friendly solution that addresses all the technical needs in any classroom regardless of the age of the building.
T-Bone the Teacher: I think it can definitely be a barrier to learning. Students rely on their laptops for so much these days – taking notes, accessing online resources, completing assignments. When their devices aren't working, they're at a disadvantage. It can also create anxiety for students who worry about their laptops dying during important tasks like tests or presentations.
August Berres: Have you tried to implement any strategies to prevent this from happening?
T-Bone the Teacher: I encourage students to come to class with fully charged devices. I've also suggested they carry portable chargers. But ultimately, it's their responsibility to manage their device's battery life. It's tough because some students rely on older laptops that don't hold a charge for very long.
August Berres: What solutions would you like to see implemented to address this problem?
T-Bone the Teacher: Ideally, classrooms would be equipped with more accessible outlets. Charging stations or power strips could be a good solution. I also think it would be helpful to have a policy in place regarding device usage and charging in the classroom. This would set clear expectations for students and help minimize disruptions.
August Berres: Following up on the idea of more accessible outlets, would it be useful to have student desks that can power a laptop?
T-Bone the Teacher: Oh, that's an interesting thought. Desks with built-in charging capabilities?
August Berres: Exactly. Desks with integrated power sources, perhaps with a standard outlet or even charging built into the desktop surface.
T-Bone the Teacher: That could be a game-changer. Imagine, every student has a guaranteed power source right at their workspace. No more scrambling for outlets, no more extension cords across the floor. It would solve a lot of the immediate logistical problems.
August Berres: What other benefits do you see?
T-Bone the Teacher: Well, it would create a much more organized and less cluttered classroom environment. You wouldn't have all those cords snaking around. It would also likely improve student focus. They wouldn't have to worry about their battery dying, so they could concentrate on the lesson. And it could potentially save time at the beginning of class. Instead of students spending the first few minutes trying to find a place to plug in, they could get right to work.
August Berres: Are there any potential drawbacks you can think of?
T-Bone the Teacher: Of course, there would be the initial cost of replacing existing desks, which could be a significant investment for schools. There would also need to be careful consideration of electrical safety and proper installation. I suppose there could also be concerns about students becoming overly reliant on having a power source readily available and not learning to manage their device's battery life independently.
August Berres: Those are valid points. But overall, it sounds like you see potential in this idea.
T-Bone the Teacher: Absolutely. While there are challenges to consider, the benefits of having desks with integrated power could be substantial. It could really transform the learning environment and make technology integration much smoother. It's definitely something worth exploring.
August Berres: Thank you for sharing your insights. This has been very helpful.
T-Bone the Teacher: You're welcome. I'm glad I could help.
