Cell phones
My approach is simple, effective and "fun". On day one I explain my cell phone policy. If they are expecting an "emergency call" they can have the phone on vibrate and quitely exit the classroom to take the call. Otherwise, if thier cell phone goes off or if they are caught texting, anyone in the classroom can yell "treat" and that student is responsible for bringing something in for everyone the next class period. Of course cost is a consideration and something like a piece of inexpensive candy, a piece of gum etc. is acceptable.
Hi Brenda,
Wow, I can't believe that with your strict cell phone policy nothing changed. At my institution we have a very strict cell phone policy, and our students know that we will enforce it. They know that it is not a game, and we have minimal cell phone violations.
Patricia Scales
I used to have a strict cell phone policy and explained it into detail but still, nothing changed. Then the students noticed it irritated me each time a phone went off.... One day when a phone rang instead of getting upset I said with a sarcastic tone and a big smile..." so who is calling me???? We are busy learning here...." the whole class laughed so the student whose phone rang was embarrassed and from that point forward I don't have as many interrumptions from phones ringing in the middle of the class. Since then I repeat the same sarcastic question each time a phone goes off.
Hi Leslie,
I am not a fan of extra credit. I believe that a student should always put their best foot forward for every assignment so that extra credit is not needed.
Patricia Scales
What happens if they don't bring the treat in? Then what? I try to give extra credit weekly so the students can bring up their grades. If they break the no cell phone rule, then they lose their chance for extra credit that week. Any thoughts?
Hi Carmen,
I try to get my students to understand that on the job they may have a NO cell phone policy. You either conform to the policy or quit.
Patricia Scales
Cell phone should only be allowed incase of an emergency, and be excuse from class, it creates a huge conflict when dealing with young students that don't grasp the consept that they are here to learn not to be texting.
I'm totally trying this in my next class!
I like how this method shifts the burden of watchfulness from me alone to all present in the room and becomes a form of positive peer pressure.
These days everyone has a cell phone.I give them the opportunity to put on vibrate and check them on their break. So far I have not had a problem. If it becomes a problem, I have told them I will have everyone put them at my desk. On breaks they can take them. So far so good
Teresa,
How does this apply to cell phones?
Patricia Scales
what happens when the student does not bring the treat in?
Hi Diane,
I fully understand! I give my students this same talk. I let my students know that if it is an emergency they will be contacted if someone calls the school for them.
Patricia Scales
I find that alot of students are expecting an important call or have someone at home sick and feel they must be able to keep their phones on. My reply to them is that the school has an excellent phone system and instruct them to give the contact number and a copy of their class schedule to whomever they feel may need it. I made it through highschool and college without a cell phone and amazingly my family and friends survived without me being on emergency stand by.
Hi Anthony,
Sounds fair to me! At my institution, your cell phone goes off, you must leave the classroom and are marked absent for the period.
Patricia Scales
Cell phones in the class - If you think about that statement it does not make any logical sense. Cell phone usage in class is disrespectful and unprofessional. Why would a student want to communicate with someone else when you are trying to communicate with that student? I like the 10 points off if one goes off. That sounds like it would work well. When I am on platform I do not permit cell phones to go off in class because even on vibrate it can be loud enough in class to cause a reaction that leads to a disturbance or distraction. Students can use cell phones during break times only. Something that works for me to avoid cheating during testing is to have every phone on the table turned off and upside down where I can see them. If it goes off or vibrates your exam is over. I have made this cell phone policy clear in the past. It has been effective and worked very well for me.
I think the cell phones in the class room have become a real problem in today's teaching. I have a policy in my classroom where the first day of class with the new students I go over the classroom policy and I point to a box at the back of the classroom that has cell pnone written on it. At the beginning of class all phone are deposited here, if they are expecting an important call or have a sick child they can keep the phone on them and have them on vibrate, leaving the room when needed to take the call. This has cut down the problem in my class with texting and calls during class time.
We also have a no cell phone policy at our school. What does your facility do that makes the policy work extremely well? Some of our instructors have the students check in their cell phones at the start of class and pick them up when it is over. I find this a bit childish, or something we might have done in military training. In my own classes, I find it extremely difficult to control students from texting when they think I am preoccupied. They know the school policy and my classroom policy against cell phone use. However, they don't seem to mind challenging.
I think this is an excellent idea. I am going to have some of my instructors try this out and see how it goes.
We also have a no cell phone policy, but unfortunately, it usually has no teeth. It is not enforced by enough faculty (in fact, I've seen other faculty using their cell phones during class activities). It is hard to monitor this issue when the students get away with this behavior continually.
What an excellent idea! I'm going to try this right after my vacation. I have one student in particular has a very difficult time keeping her cell phone in her purse. I even had a guest speaker, a graduate student , address the class with how cells phones are a "no-no" in the office. Great! Thanks! Can't wait to use this!
