A Laptop and a Dream: Bridging the Learning Gap With Technology

Courtesy of The Polytechnic

Scott Robertson ’03 has Asperger’s Syndrome, an autistic disorder. Although not as severe as classic autism that afflicted the character Raymond Babbitt, played by Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, the lifelong syndrome could have prevented Robertson from doing what many take for granted.

But it didn’t.

Studying at Rensselaer, a technological university that promotes the integration of computers and other technology in the classroom, has allowed the 22-year-old computer science major to overcome major learning hurdles and graduate with a near-perfect 3.96 GPA.

Robertson says Rensselaer’s laptop program, which began in 1999 and requires all incoming freshmen to own a laptop, has been essential to realizing his dream — to design software and devices to improve the lives of those with learning and other disabilities.

“I used to have difficulty organizing my assignments. But, because most of my assignments have been done on a laptop that I carry around with me, I can keep track of my work. I can also download notes anytime, anywhere. That has made it easier to focus on class discussions because I don’t have to rush to take notes. Instead, I can concentrate on the PowerPoint slides after class.” —Scott Robertson ’03—

To that end, Robertson will attend Carnegie Mellon in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in human-computer interaction.

“I used to have difficulty organizing my assignments,” says Robertson. “But, because most of my assignments have been done on a laptop that I carry around with me, I can keep track of my work. I can also download notes anytime, anywhere. That has made it easier to focus on class discussions because I don’t have to rush to take notes. Instead, I can concentrate on the PowerPoint slides after class.”

Robertson, for instance, can’t read facial expressions—crucial for the most basic communication skills. And, performing more than one task, such as listening and taking notes at the same time, is daunting.

Technology is not the only major benefit Rensselaer has offered Robertson. Because he has a hard time organizing multiple instructions, it is difficult for him to understand properly the sequence of some written exam questions. The extra time for tests provided through Rensselaer’s Disabled Student Services has helped tremendously, he says.