As soon as a lecture begins, instead of hearing what we need to know for the class, the sound of loud typing fills the room. We have all been in that scenario, whether it be in a meeting or in class.

For the average professor, a student whose notebook is full of miscellaneous papers, magazine clippings, grocery lists, foil, dryer lint or playing cards doesn’t seem like an effective use of space.

Once upon a time, university lectures were accompanied by the sound of pens scribbling on paper. But if you go into a lecture hall today, you will hear students tapping on laptops. Devices are now an ...