Text Messenging In Class
How can text messenging be decrease in class.
Our general policy is that phones are not to be focused on in class. I usually have everyones number availble so that i can communicate with them during absences etc. Now this may not be appropriate, but on occasion i have texted a student to stop texting while i am in that class. This usually diffuses the rash of poor manners with some humor as they receive my text. Then we can go back to class activities. Unconventional as it seems, it has worked.
That is what I have done as well. I do not think many students understand how rude they are being when they are on their phones during a lecture until they experience the ramifications of such behavior when they are making a presentation themselves.
In my classroom, students use the cell phone for other functions besides texting and phone calls. Banning this multi-purpose tool could interfere with how some students absorb material. For instance, the camera function is often used to take screen shots of the white board presentation. Also, some students take notes on these devices and also reference their assignments for classes. The device is not the problem, rather the student's lack of control in communicating with others (in the classroom or outside the classroom)
I find it interesting that teachers complain about students using cell phone during class and call it disrespectful yet when I go to workshops/meetings I see employees doing the same thing.
Texting or staring at phone is learned behavior which is why people drive with a cell phone in one hand. I try to stop that behavior telling students that we are going to not use our phone for 30 minutes. Gradually that can be increased to longer periods of time until behavior is shaped to only look at phones during break times. If a student must have phone out because they expect a call that is important then they must notify me beforehand so they can step out and answer phone.
Hi Lawrence,
If you have a no cell phone policy this well take care of the texting problem as well. At my institution we have little to no problems with cell phones/texting.
Patricia Scales
Hi Lowell,
This policy has worked well at my institution. We have little to no problems with cell phones because we have a policy, and we enforce the policy.
Patricia Scales
I'm in agreement with everyone here. Stick to your guns and no folding! We work in 2 hour sessions but if I'm lecturing I will give a 5 min. break after an hour or so. Also we have a 5-10 minute window before lunch and before they leave for the day. These are acceptable times otherwise it's a downgrade to a professionalism score that our students are graded on along with test scores and lab scores.
Great "call" by banning cell phones in the classroom and clearly stating it from the beginning in your syllabus. It definitely needs to be handled by preventing it from ever becoming a problem. Once it becomes an issue the instructor tends to be in a no win situation. If you prevent it from occuring and it is clearly stated as a policy in the syllabus the student has the option of not taking the course with that instructor or they abide by the written policy.
I try to make it clear that my class room is not a social media outlet and remind them why they are here, I understand sometimes there are calls you have to take but that's why there are breaks.
Text messaging in class should be limited to emergencies only. Sometimes I will have a student who continually texts throughout the term. This student's grade is impacted greatly by this behavior.
Ban them (with a penality for (non-compliance) from the classroom.
Big problem for all of us. Ban cell phones (with a penality for non compliance)in the classroom. Everyone needs to be stick on this action.
Hi Beverly,
At my institution, we have a no phone on policy in the classroom. The policy has proven to be very effective. You truly get from students what you expect. Just think, what did adult learners with children do years ago when there were no such thing as cell phones?
Patricia Scales
These day and ages its hard to eliminate phones in the classroom especially in college when your dealing with adults that have children that might need there parent so I just say no excessive phone using.
Hi Cynthia,
I love your rule on cell phone policy! You are right! Employers are not going to play the cell phone policy! Thank you for preparing students for the real world.
Patricia Scales
I make it clear from day one in class that cell phone are not allowed. Students may place phones on silent off to the side for emergency purposes, and if necessary step outside to take a call in an emergency, but not on a regular basis. Texting is both distracting to others around them and to myself, and rude.
My suggestion is to put it in the syllabus your cell phone policy. Mine is simple: NO cell phone usage during class. We have breaks every hour and that is when calls, texts, etc., are to be returned. Should an emergency arise and the student must be reached, again in my syllabus, there is "for emergency only contact number" which is used. Violations? The student surrenders the phone and it is returned at break. I am not lenient on this as in the real world, cell phones are not allowed on the floor...period!
Text messaging in class is extremely rude and disprespectful to the instructor. The student should inform the instructor that they are having an emergency & they may need to step out of class to solve their dilemma.
What I have done is made it clear that cell phone use is unacceptable during class time. Phones are allowed, but they have to be on vibrate or silent. If I see a student constantly on the phone I would have a private conversation with them, letting them know that in the work field they would be written up because of course their attention is not on doing their work/job.
