Distraction in the class
As a chef instructor, I find it hard to tell my students to not use their phones for notes. Even though I tell them to write it down on a notebook, they go home and copy it onto their notes application on their smartphones. I often catch them on their phones, not reading the notes that they claimed to have taken. I understand that it would be wrong to ask them all to put their phones away and only rely on notebooks, but I don't want to be unfiar to those who are genuinely using their phones for the right reasons. What would be the best course of action to take?
-Gabriel
Great idea, it decreases distraction during class and helps to set up classroom structure and rules.
Allowing cell phone usage for a class activity must be negotiated carefully. While it does have certain advantages the disadvantages are numerous. It can be difficult to regain the student or students focus once it is lost.
I don't think there is an appropriate time to be on a cell phone in class. Cell phones distract the user from what is happening in the class room.
Jeremiah,
I've done this with corporate leaders & generally watch them go through withdrawal. I think it's a good idea & needed for all ages of learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have recently started requiring students to place their phones in a basket at the beginning of class and leave them there for the duration of the lecture after which I let them use them during the question and demo portion of the class.
I teach accounting and our school has incorporated an accounting lab application into the course. Lectures and doing accounting problems together on the board is still the main part of the course but the computer accounting lab program is also an important part. I found that it is a distractions for students to use their lap tops, tables or phone during the lecture or problem part of the class. The students who don’t use electronic devices during lectures do better on their written tests and computer lab work.
