Technology and Respect
It is a major challenge to get students off their cell phones when giving a lecture or presentation. I think all presentations should be interactive to get them up and moving around. It may help w/ keeping them off of social media for a few hours.
Breane ,
good question & I would say yes. However, I think this will take some time & probably some meeting in the middle. If I enter the class the first day demanding the student "learn my ways" it will probably build barriers that are hard to overcome. If I demonstrate an understanding & a coming to them, they will in turn come to me.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is made clear that to have a functioning classroom, the instructor needs to learn the way of the studnet. Is there anytime, that the student needs to learn the way of the instructor?
I think the use of these technologies are awesome to say the least, but clearly, it has it's downfall in regards to upholding respect and appropriateness in the classroom setting. I do see the value of having this tremendous wealth of information at your fingertips at any moment, but I have noticed an erosion of soft skills and ediquette within the classroom enviroment. Many times have students complained of the distraction envolved over the use of cell phones, laptops and other devices. I still beleive in a strong classroom management approach that is respectful to all.
susan,
this is a great example of appropriateness & industry standards. For these students it really is a safety issue & so we would not want the cell phones out, however other industries it may be a helpful tool.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The students must have their phones off during lecture. They are training to cook in kitchens and cannot have a phone when working on a hot grill. We need to prepare them for the working environment. They can check their phones during break as they will in the working world.
Donna,
they most likely are & while this is frustrating I think it provides an opportunity to teach professionalism & appropriateness.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I too feel that sometimes students are using the cellphones for nonclass purposes. It is hard to tell, unless you constantly look over their shoulders, when they are using the internet for learning purposes and when they are texting, etc.
I think keeping the students engaged and making them a part of the class will help us combat the distraction of cell phones too.
I also beleive they could be used during class at times to make some tasks easier.
I like the concept! In larger classes I see students separate themselves into peer groups- establishing their own "assigned" seats. I think clearly defining technology use guidelines as well as moving students to interact with others outside the peer group will help improve team building and face to face communication in future employment relationships.
