Attention

Attention
Originally uploaded by Felix42 contra la censura

Increasingly, students bring their computers to class and faculty take theirs to meetings. Is everyone, however, paying attention to business? Who is checking email or sneaking a look at ESPN or sending snide notes via IM? What is the correct etiquette for this situation?

According to a recent article in The New York Times, there are no clear guidelines, although Microsoft Corporation makes use of 7 Rules for Using Laptops in Meetings:

1. Make sure there's a point. Don't take laptops to meetings unless you need one for a particular task, such as a presentation.
2. Designate a laptop. Put one person in charge of computer duties, for note-taking or PowerPoint projection.
3. Be ready to explain why you've brought a laptop. It's just good manners to let the meeting organizer know what you've brought a computer along.
4. Use some discretion. Be sure to look up from your machine, use eye contact, and stay involved with the meeting. Tablet PCs are less distracting than regular laptops because they eliminate the screen barrier.
5. Turn down the bells and whistles. Be sure you mute any sort of noise or sound that may prove distracting or annoying to others.
6. When in doubt, leave them out. Sometimes, it's appropriate to ask people to leave their laptops behind.
7. Dissect your meetings. If people aren't paying attention to the content of your classes or meetings, then take a hard look at the way you organize the session. Meetings that are well planned and well run help keep participants focussed.