Inattentive Students
What can I do to include inattentive students to a discussion?
In response to the cell phone issue...our institution has a policy on "No cell phones in the classroom." I was having issues with the students continually peeking at their phones or sneaking to text message. I asked my Academic Dean if it was "appropriate" for me to take up all cell phones at the beginning of class, and return them to the students at the end of class. She checked with the "powers-that-be" and was given the "thumbs up." I warned the students the next day that if I saw ONE MORE CELL PHONE out, I would confiscate all phones and place them in a central location until the end of class. I assured them that I would not be looking through the phones and that they would be in a place that they could keep their eyes on them. Guess what? Not another problem out of them. Phones stayed put away.
Hi Klaus,
Unfortunately, you are going to have those who do not care. You have to continue to try to encourage those students as well. We don't want to ever give up on a student.
Patricia
Patricia
We are two instructors in three classes and we agreed to have a 5 out of 20 points participation grade. If a student dose not participate he or she loses the 5 points that day. The problem is however that they don't care. What can we do?
Hi Stanley,
Instructors need to enforce this policy. The student should be reprimanded based on what the policy says. A policy is null and void if it is not going to be enforced. The instructors are the enforcers.
Patricia
WE HAVE A NO PHONE POLICY AT OUR SCHOOL. HOWEVER,IT IS CONSTANTLY IGNORED.I AGREE THAT BY PUTTING THIS IN THE CATEGORY OF CLASS PARTICIPATION,STUDENTS REALIZE THAT THERE GRADE WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
Hi Amy,
Include a 5% or higher participation grade. If the student does not participate he or she loses 5 points off the bat. Sometimes you have to hit students where it hurts--with grades. You need to have a private conversation as well with the student.
Patricia
Hi Laura,
You need to push for a cell phone policy at your institution.
Patricia
I teach two introduction classes, and some of the younger students are very inattentive. I have wanted to text message them during my lecture, stating put away the cell phone and listen! However, since that is not possible, I'm interested in the response to Amy's question as well.
