Students on the phone in Class.
Students seem to be on the phone a lot these days in class and think it is ok. And when you ask them to go out of the classroom they get all bent out of shap. How can we handle this without interuption to the class?
Antonio,
You make a good point about how easy it is to lose control of a class. So being fair and consistent in your administration of the class you will have control and the students will respect you for doing so.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
From my minimal experience, I have learned that it all goes down to enforcment. I tell them i want their attention, just like they have mine.
I tell them that if they have an emergency to step outside and talk.
I learned the hard way on this... by being to soft, then when it was out of control it was too late for them to take my rule seriously.
Jan,
To support your point I want to reinforce that you are establishing an industry standard with your approach. In the world of patient care the students will be expected to keep their focus on the patient and they need to learn to do that while still students. You are modeling what they will need to do upon graduation. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like it! I will definitely use this suggestion.
In response to those who cut the students some slack because they have children, I say, why? I have four children myself, but the odds of them having any emergency during the fifty minutes of class time before the next break is extremely remote. What, are they going to interrupt their treatment of a patient to take that phone call? No. And they shouldn't be interrupting my class for that, either. I will definitely go with the "working for no points" thing next term.
Sharif ,
Good graphic example of a behavior that you are going to enforce in your class.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
I make it a point to take out my cell phone and turn it off at the start of class. And I noted this works especially with students, they realize how serious I take their education.
Gail,
Good for your school. There must be a standard that is set and then enforced. This sends a message that everyone at the school is serious about the learning opportunities that are being presented with minimum disruptions.
Gary
There either needs to be a "school policy" or "classroom policy" in place. Our school policy is one verbal warning and then the student is ask to leave the class for the day. Where we once had HUGE issues with phones they are rare now.
My policy is simple, supported by my program director and it works! If a cell phone goes off or they are looking down in their laps texting..ie. if there is any cell phone use or visibility at all, they work for no points in the lab that day. And of course, they must do the work, regardless of no points, in order to pass the class. Sounds harsh, but only a handful have any complaint, and they don't complain long once they see it enforced. It works!!
Hi Lillian,
That is my policy as well. Things like this need to be addressed and made clear from the beginning so they don't become an issue later on.
Gary
I tell my students on the first day of class to put their cell phones on silent mode or turn them off during class.
I tend to have my students place the phones on vibrate. Many do have children/families. If an urgent call were to come through, they may go into the hallway to talk. I also review the school policy re this.
I have a "no cell phone" rule. I informed all my classes on the first day, that I don't want to hear it or see it. I never let my classes see my phone & expect the same of them.
FIRST OF ALL WHEN WE START OUR CLASS I ASK THEM TO TURN OFF THEIR PHONE SO NOBODY CAN INTERRUPT OUR CLASS AND SECOND I TELL THEM AS INSTRUCTOR TO READ SYLLABUS AND WHAT IS THE ROLES ABOUT PHONE IN THE CLASSROOM .WITH OUT EMBARASSING THEM IN THE CLASS.
The issue with cell phones are not really making phone calls, but the texting is out of control. There are many times when I am lecturing and I look up to find someone texting on their cell phone. Its really frustrating.
Hey Stacy,
I announce my expectations and rules about cell phones the very first day of class and it is written in their syllabus. I have a zero tolerance phone policy in class. This is because I give the class several short breaks through out the lecture and that time is to be utilized for checking phone messages. This sets the ground rules for the rest of the class. I do understand emergencies happen and if I see a student checking their phone quickly I do not say anything to them because I am flexible. It has just worked best for me if I put a really strict rule in place because than it minimizes these events.
Hi Dennis,
This is my policy as well on cell phones and I have not had any problems with students abusing it.
Gary
I know there are parents that have to keep their cell phones on( Vibrate in my class) in the event the school where their child is has to be contacted. I allow this and they have to step out of class.
Hi Stacy,
Get the support of your administration on a phone use policy then enforce it. My policy is no cell phones are to be used in class. If a situation demands that a student be accessible they let me know before class. All phones will be on vibrate. If a call comes in they step outside to answer it. This simple policy is easy to enforce and it has reduced the phone problem to nothing.
Gary
