In “Writing In the Wild” Bjork and Schwartz discuss how computers in the classroom can change how and what the students write due to their changed locations. They also discuss how sometimes computers can be a hindrance in the classroom, because a typical computer creates a barrier between the student and the teacher. While I agree that the computer does create that physical barrier, I think the real problem with computers in the classroom is that they are a distraction not only to the person who is on it, but those around them.
When I first started back at SCU, it surprised me how few students used computers in the classrooms. The majority of students used paper and pens for their notes. As I sat behind some of the few students who were using computers in the class, I could not help but notice that they often checked their Facebook accounts, their e-mail, or were working on an assignment in class instead of actually taking notes. In this sense, something that should enhance the classroom, was in reality taking away from the experience.
I completely agree when you say that the computer in the classroom can be a distraction. Although, I like looking at slides and taking notes on my laptop, it is very hard to resist the temptation of checking emails or browsing other sites. I think that Bjork and Schwartz do make a good argument, though.
Bjork and Schwartz both have PhDs from the University of Texas at Austin, and are both currently working at Colleges as lecturer/assistant professor of English literature (respectively). They have each written several other articles on related topics before and after this one. For more info on Bjork, see: http://www.scu.edu/cas/english/faculty/bjork.cfm?p=4099. And for more info on Schwartz see: http://www.aub.edu.lb/fas/english/Pages/Schwartz.aspx.