My class size is less then 25, so I would be more inclined to do what Donald has proposed. In a small classroom students don't like to be individually singled out. I would just make a strong point, when reviewing my syllabus, to remind the class that cell phones are prohibited while class is in session. If I saw a student(s) using their cell phone I would take them aside during break and remind them of this policy. I have been fortunate that this has not been an issue for me up until this point. Good discussion though if it does occur in my future.
Thanks, Diane Osso
before class ask class to put away all cellphone
This is a great idea! I love it.
Mary,
Thank you for this idea on how to control the misuse of cell phones in class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Raul,
I am sure this strategy results in getting the attention of the offender because as you say he or she has no idea of what is going on nor what the question is due well the answer. Thanks for sharing this approach with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I take points off their participation grade each time I have to ask them to put their phone away or if I hear the phone.
I use the same method. During my lectures if a student is on their cell phone I make it to ask a random question and ask ask that person for an aswer, most of the time they will be so distracted and will have no clue of what we are talking about, that I then tell them to ask the person whom they are texting for an answer.
I remind my students that they have enrolled in college and not the 13th grade of High school, therefore they are expected to act and react like adults. I tell my students that if I see or hear a cell phone during class that they will get one warning to put it away. Another incident and I will confiscate the cell phone until after class concludes. Since implementing this policy I have not had to worry about cell phones in class and only confiscated 1 cell phone. Also, I do not disrupt class since I walk around the class during instructional portions of class.
Thanks, Ron
William,
The next step for me is that I warn them that I will use my best "middle school" teacher voice (I base this on the fact if they are going to act like middle schoolers I will treat them as such.) and I will call them out if they use their cell phones in class, even after I have paused and given them the look. When I call them out that generally solves the problem. If it doesn't I will call the student out and dismiss that individual from the class since he or she obviously isn't interested in what we are covering in class and is disrespecting their classmates. I have only done this two times but the word quickly spread throughout the school and so between the two incidents was a five year gap.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
John,
Good way to address this problem without disrupting the class. This seems to be an ongoing problem with most of us. More than one of my students has told me that they don't see a problem with using their cell phones during class. Their response is "What difference does it make? I need to keep up with my friends during class." Really? I tell them that they will not be able to do this in the workplace but I'm not sure I have convinced of this. I bring in graduates and have them talk with the students and when they talk about behavior in the workplace and not using cell phones they do get the students' attention, at least for a while.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There is a sign outside most courtrooms to the effect of, "Turn cell phones OFF or they will be confiscated." And I've seen them confiscated when they beep in court. This may be a bit draconian for the classroom, but it points up the need to have a clear and conspicuous policy, followed up by some kind of enforcement. If the "glare" doesn't produce sufficient peer pressure, what would be the next escalation?
