Terry Cole

RE: Observing Your Educational Setting

I am constantly observing the students as I am instructing the class. The largest downfall I see for student are cell phone. What I did to rectify this problem is absolutely prohibit cell phones in my classroom. They are a destraction to the student using them as well as to the students around them. I have a cell phone basket at the front of the room by the door. On the first day of class I give the students handouts of the classroom rules and go over this hand out in detail. Once I finish I have them sing a signature page stating they understand the rules and agree to follow them to the letter. I call this page a contract. One of the rules I have put in this contract is as follows:
Absolutely no cell phones are allowed in class. Please leave your phones in your car. If you ride the bus, there will be a large basket marked cellphones on my desk. Please turn your phone off and place it in the basket. I do not want to see any student on a cell phone during my class. Tell your family and friends to contact you before or after class. If I see you on your cell phone during class you will be asked to leave and participation and classwork points will be zero for that day. THIS WILL BE STRICKLY ENFORCED!!!! I don’t want to see you plugging in your phone to charge either!!!!