AlRa

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9/12/2023 Topic: Prohibiting the use of laptops in LINC courses AlRa	This is my second year taking LINK courses to learn English in Toronto. This year, the course manager has banned the use of technological devices (TDs) such as laptops, smartphones, etc. in the classroom. for educational purposes. I found out that in Ontario it is illegal to use TDs in schools in the classroom. LINK is not a school, but language learning courses. LINK is not provincial, but federal subordinate. We are not schoolchildren, but well-educated adults with successful work experience. In the matter of using TD, the management of the University of Waterloo is guided by the following. https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/catalogs/tip-sheets/managing-students-use-technology-classroom#:~:text=No.,laptop%20is%20an%20appropriate%20accommodation Can I ban all students from using laptops in my classroom? No. Banning technology in the classroom is a human rights violation. For many students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, or other disabilities, a laptop is an appropriate accommodation. Policy 58 - Accessibility upholds the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code and other legislation that supports the rights of individuals with disabilities. As a result, banning laptops would violate the legal human rights of these students, and is therefore not an option. Moreover, even if banning laptops in the classroom were permissible, it’s not feasible to enforce a laptop ban in large classes, and would not solve the problem because students could still use their phones more surreptitiously. Research shows that strict methods of controlling technology are not always effective (Santos et al., 2018) or recommended (Gupta & Irwin, 2016). Can I ban laptops from my classroom for everyone except students registered with AccessAbility Services? No. Banning technology for everyone except those who need it violates an individual’s right to keep their disability private. Banning laptops for all students except the ones registered with AccessAbility Services would essentially makes some students’ disabilities evident to others. Moreover, many students with disabilities choose not to register with AccessAbility Services but are nonetheless protected by the provincial legislation regarding appropriate accommodations. Laptops and smart phones also benefit students who do not have a disability: for example, these devices enable students who are not fluent in English to quickly look up a word during class. I think that the LINK manager's decision is a violation of human rights. What do you think about this?
9/18/2023 Topic: Prohibiting the use of laptops in LINC courses AlRa	Dear Settement.Org team. Could you please answer the question? It is very important for me to know your opinion before taking the next steps. Thanks in advanse.
9/20/2023 Topic: Prohibiting the use of laptops in LINC courses AlRa	Thank you very much for detailed answer.
9/22/2023 Topic: Prohibiting the use of laptops in LINC courses AlRa	Thank you for support. I haven't taken any steps yet.