Dealing with technology
How does one deal with students that consistently use cell phones in class and appear to be insulted if an instructor asks them to refrain from this use?
I agree. However, one of the challenges I face is a classroom so small that there is literally no room to walk around. Tables are perpendicular to the back wall and the students are situated back to back facing different tables. There is barely enough room for students to take their seats unless a seated student moves aside or else stands up.
With cell phones, its difficult to keep them out of their hands in classrooms. I tend to allow the use of a cell phone (not phone calls) on a limited basis. If it seems to be getting out of hand to the point the student is not keeping up with the class or the work, I will suggest that the student put the phone away. I have in the past taken a phone from a student when they could not keep up and refused my suggestion to put the phone away so they would stay on track. I will give it back at the end of class, and explain what the expectation is. In most cases, that will eliminate the problem.
As fat as computer use that does not fit with the class. Again, as long as its not causing a disruption or preventing the student from completing work or staying with the class, I will allow it. When it gets out of hand, I have removed network cables from computers to prevent the use of internet. I will always discuss after class what the expectation is.
Out goal as a school is to be industry modeled, and when I discuss the behavior that led to the dicipline, I always frame it as to what the expectation will be out in the field.
Talyon, why do you feel there needs to be a balance? Edutainment is a major factor in education today and a topic I highly recommend you review. Students today need constant engagement and we as instructors need to constantly challenge ourselves to find new and innovative ways to keep the attention of our students. Find a colleague or two that seem to have a unique ability to keep students engaged and shadow their classroom processes. Learning from others is the great form of flattery and a best practice as there is rarely a need to reinvent the wheel.
James Jackson
I have found the same issues even in a culinary school. Our classes include demonstrations for the student production and I still find myself competing with cell phones. I definitely agree that part of my job is to bring excitement and passion to the lecture. How could I find a balance between "entertaining" the student and delivering the course content ?
I have found the same issues even in a culinary school. Our classes include demonstrations for the student production and I still find myself competing with cell phones. I definitely agree that part of my job is to bring excitement and passion to the lecture. How could I find a balance between "entertaining" the student and delivering the course content ?
Jeff , very well done and one of the best techniques to use. Knowing the total environment of your classroom is key and keeping your students guessing of when and where you may be in the classroom is always a key element in maintaining good classroom control.
James Jackson
The school I teach at relies heavily on the use of computers, so computer usage can also be a problem. I make a habit of walking around the classroom from back to front so that I'm facing their screens. I have no intention of watching what is on their screen, but the mere fact that their screen is in my line of sight often corrects the behavior.
Joel, this can be a very loaded question as there are many possible directions an answer can take. I recently attended a conference where the presenter made a startling statement to someone in the audience who asked the same question and his response was startling to some of the participants so please read this with the mind set that I am sharing something I heard at a conference. The presenter stated be more entertaining and engaging than the cell phone. If your students are interested in your topic then the cellular phone will most likely not be a distraction. Another angle to take is can you think of ways you can incorporate cellular phones into your lesson plans? One example is to have students text their responses to some questions you provide in class. First to get the answer correct earns some points towards participation or gets a one question regrade on the next quiz. Find ways to meet your students part way versus feeling you have to be the dictator of the classroom. Of course there is also the angle of school policy, if the school policy states no cellular phones in class then you may need to resort to punitive measures. This is not my way of going but I know this is policy at some institutions.
James Jackson
