Students and Cell Phones
I have a huge problem with students using cell phones in class, especially during a lecture. I understand that cell phones and other electronic devices are a huge part of our lives now, but how do I get my adult students to understand that there is a time and place for them. Am I asking too much to have them be without their phones for tow hours?
Hi Kelly,
If this is your rule and it works, I am sure your students appreciate this. At my school we have zero tolerance for the cell phone. Years agao students were contacted if their children had an emergency. Some companies have zero tolerance for the cell phone.
Patricia Scales
Cell Phones can be a problem in the classroom. With Adults going back to school with children also in school,parents need to have the ability to answer a call if it's important.
I ask my students to keep their cell phones on vibrate or silent. If a call should come in that is important, I ask that they leave the classroom and handle the call.
Hi Christine,
I agree! Cell phones can be a big distraction in the classroom. Students can do without those cell phones during class time.
Patricia Scales
No I don't think you are asking to much!!! We as a society are in an era that is so electronic based and we so much social media out there running our world and especially young people have learned to multi task with all of that. It is a huge part of their lives. If we can ask them to all please shut off all ringers and vibrate option even off I think that their learning abilities will be greatly increased. Good luck
Hi Lee,
This is certainly a flip side to rules about the cell phone. At my school we have a zero tolerance for cell phones. The policy works beautifully.
Patricia Scales
Dealing with adult students it may be too much to ask. I have found that if you allow cell phones on and ringers turned down in the class distractions are at a minimum. The key is you have to set up rules. No texting, excuse yourself from class to ake a call, and if phones are out and other people are looking at them, that constitutes a distraction to be dealt with. Cell phones are here to stay.
I feel that it would be beneficial to let the students know up front that this will not be tolerated. Phones, even on vibrate, can be very distracting. In the work place, you must have full attention on your job. If you put your phone on silent and in your purse, for example, and only check it on breaks, I have no problem with that. However, the buzzing of a phone on vibrate is another story. Also, in general, it is very rude and reduces your perception of the importance of what another is expressing to you if you are constantly looking at your cell phone as if there is something more important that you are waiting for.
My overall feeling is that there is no need for a cell phone every minute of every day. You can check it on break! Making this clear at the onset with your new students will go a long way in that you are not requiring that it be off however, you do not want to see it or hear it during classes.
I am very glad to hear you say this. I can't count how many times I have heard "I'm paying for this class...etc." and a good (and work-appropriate!) response has always escaped me. Thank you for putting it so eloquently!
This is a great discussion topic; I see there are many different views on the use/abuse of cell phones in the classroom.
Hi Javier,
You get from studens what you expect. When students know that you are not playing, they will do what they are supposed to.
Patricia Scales
I have a "No Cell Phone Use in Class" policy which I strictly adhere to. When I explain this in a serious tone of voice, there is almost no abuse of this policy.
This has been a hard ten weeks with this current class. I am learning from this class session techniques I can use for next ten weeks. I wish I had done this lesson prior to the ten weeks. I would have been better prepared.
I've had some problems with cell phones. The policy is set at the beginning of class. Professionalism points are deducted if a cell phone goes off. During testing, all cell phones need to be placed at the back of the room. I'm constantly walking around the room during class time and haven't noticed a problem.
Hi Peg,
You need to reprimand your students according to the policy to rectify this problem.
Patricia Scales
Hi Denise,
At my institution if the cell phone makes a sound, the student goes home, regardless as to where the phone is.
Patricia Scales
I also have been having a problem with my students using cell phones. I have to mention the no cell phone policy constantly. I tell the students to have the phones either off or on vibrate and to leave class if they must take a call. I have a greater problem with the younger students (18-25) than I do the older ones.
I find that even if the student is not using the cell phone, many times I hear them ringing in backpacks, purses, etc so I need to remind them to put them on silent.
Hi Carol,
I let my students know that they are paying for the opportunity to attend the institution, and that all rules, policies, and procedures will be strictly enforced as set by the institution.
Patricia Scales
This I am going to do. I tend to not make a big deal of cell phones/ texting in class. If they want to miss the material then who am I to force it? They are paying for their knowledge. They are only accountable to themselves. But a silent reminder could not hurt.
I also let my students know on the very first day that they must put their cell phones away. They can have their cell phones on vibrate because I know that most of us are parents, but they must leave the phones in their pockets or purses and not on the table. They can leave at any time to take an emergency call. They have a clear understanding on day 1 about my low tolerance for cell phones.
