The University of Amsterdam has introduced a ban on laptops and mobile phones in the lecture hall for one of its sociology courses this academic year. Students enrolled in the course have been told to leave their devices at home or store them away during lectures, and to take notes by hand instead. The measure is intended to reduce distractions and encourage more active participation in class. It applies to this specific course rather than the entire university, and no similar blanket rule has been announced for other programmes.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
If you are starting a degree or taking a course at a Dutch university, check the specific rules for each module. Some lecturers may ask you to put phones and laptops away, while others allow them for note taking or translation. For newcomers still building their Dutch, a phone can feel like a useful tool for looking up words during a lecture. In a device-free class, it helps to prepare vocabulary in advance and to review notes afterwards. Handwriting notes can also support memory, which may benefit anyone studying in a second language. If you need adjustments because of a disability or language support, you can usually ask the course coordinator about exceptions. The change is limited in scope, so it is worth confirming expectations with your own department before term begins.