Cell phones
Visual aids seem to grab my students attention.
Shannie,
It is a slow process when you are enforcing a new set of rules or enforcing rules that have not been enforced. You kept working on your behavior management plan until you got the results you wanted and the students got to see the value of why you had the rules in place. Great job of being creative in your classroom management efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Our school has a solid policy, but it was not enforced previously. When I took over this position, I implemented a professionalism policy that deducts points for various things such as cell phone use, inappropriate computer use, food/drink in class, etc.
The trick is, they have to "feel" the penalty. For some students, getting 90% on their professionalism on a daily basis was OK with them, so they would continue to text during class. I had to make the penalty really tough to get them to stop. To further stop the behavior, I made it so that any more than 2 infractions for the same thing would result in being written up.
Often the students think they are pulling one over on me, but they have learned that I have REALLY good peripheral vision. Sometimes, I will comment about seeing something from across the room, and they are surprised I saw it.
It took some time, but they are much better about the policy now. Both my co-instructor and I lead by example, so we don't use our phones, have food/drink, or use the computers for non-class related activities. The students respect that, and are willing to follow policy more because of it.
Sara,
Been there and have experienced my adults feeling this way. I have a talk with them about how we are going to consider emergencies and lay some ground rules for cell phone use.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Funny thing is, for adults everything seems to be an emergency.
Eliza,
I do to, but unfortunately I am faced with the same situation class after class. Cell phone issues come up more with faculty throughout the US more than any other topic when we are discussing class management.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I never believe that people could be addicted to cell phones until I started teaching. My policy is to warn once and then confiscate and there isn't a single class where I don't end up with someone else's phone by then end of the night. I wish there was some way to get the students to understand that the phone issue is a waste of both of our times.
Tina,
Cell phones are a constant issue in classes. They need to be out of sight and not used except for as you note emergencies. Enforce the rule about cell phones and before long they are not an issue, until the next new class and then you get to repeat your position on cell phones all over again.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree, cell phone calls should be limited to emergency use only during class and anytime on break. A cell phone can disrupt a lecture as well as the patience of other students.
Kimberly,
Your last sentence really says it all. In appropriate cell phone use can really kill career opportunities.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Beth,
Thanks for sharing this example with us. It is always interesting to me that when the tables are turned and it is happening to the students they don't like it one bit. It is part of their entitlement mentality. You got their attention and they got the message about how something like cell phone use in certain settings can really kill a career opportunity.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Well, I'm glad to know that our school isn't the only one struggling with cell phone issues. Our rules are very clear and concise, but I definately picked up some new approaches to the problem. Thanks! Students NEED to be reminded about cell phones in relation to professionalism.
I agree on the policy and sticking with it on cell phones. Like Dr. Meers I allow the phone to be on silent for emergencies. But the student must tell me ahead of time and and then step out to take the call.
I did have a younger class once and all but one were between 18 to 22 years old and it was a tough class to break from facebook usage and cell phones. I talked to the Dean and with his premission. I took my phone to class and took all calls, text messaged, and played on my phone for the first hour of lecture. All the students were mad and felt I was wasting there time and money. The older student knew what I was up too and played along.
Once again we discussed soft skills, professionism and the reasons why the phone needs to be put away for the 50 min class between breaks. I was lucky it worked and I only had to do a few reminders over the next class.
Steven,
I like your approach because you are being very clear about your policy on cell phones but doing it in a humorous way that informs but doesn't threaten students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I take the comical approach with cell phones. My biggest concern is the ringer disturbing other students. I tend to believe an adult is capable of deciding rather they can comprehend class work while futzing with their phone, and some of them even use the phone to take notes. I just don't want the ringer/sounds disturbing myself or the other students.
To that end, I jokingly tell them during the first class session, that, if their phone rings, since they're in my classroom, I'll assume the call is for me and answer it. Obviously, I've never had to actually do this, and I make sure they understand I'm being sarcastic, but it gets my point across and even eases tension a bit.
Johnnie,
You have to have a clear policy about cell phones in your class. In my class they are not to be seen or used. If there might be an emergency they can put them on vibrate. If a call comes in they step out and take it. (Generally a sick child or something like that) With the rule clearly set out I don't have any problem with cell phones. Sometimes I have to remind them of the rule but not very often.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Yeah the contant texting and checking their phones seems to be a huge problem in classes.
Melissa,
Nice forth right approach to getting this policy across to the students in a fum way. This lets them know your expectations without anyone getting upset about the rule.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have started to draw attention to the cell phone addiction by using a comical approach. At the beginning of the class day one I explain that cell phones are to be put away as in away from your body and on vibtrate at all times. I tell them that I realize how hard it is to be disconnected from the real world for 50 whole minutes at a time. If there is an emergent call they are waiting for then they may keep the cell phone on their person. If I notice that cell phone use is being abused by many I will tell the class as a whole at the beginning of the next class period that it is now time to update there facebook, check in or whatever they were using the cell phones for previously. I joke that I am available for a short time only if they want me to be in their FB photo with them. This usually gets the point accross.
Teresa,
With situations like this it is important to be clear and consistent on polices about attendance, phones, etc.. This way when something comes up, everyone involved understands the consequences.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
