Inattentive students focused on texting
I have been having a considerable amount of problems with inattentive students who prefer to text or surf the internet via their phones than participate in lecture.
One of the major problems I see is that society routinely reinforces that this is acceptable behavior. I sit in meetings where the attendees will be constantly checking their phones and responding to texts...this includes the discussion leader or the boss.
Hi Heather,
I have been in the industry for over 20 years, and I fully understand what you are saying about retention. I DO NOT sacrifice standards to save a student. My institution have very strict rules, and I enforce them, regardles as to whether the rules hurt my retention rate or not. As the DOE, I ensure that my instructors enforce rules as well. It makes those who are enforcing the rules the bad guys. Everyone should be on the same page.
Patricia
I have a policy similar to yours, Linda. I dock their professionalism/participation grade if there is cell phone/web use during class, but I hesitate to take it any further.
I noticed the strict policies that many of the commenters' institutions have. How does that affect retention?
I work in a career college, where retention and numbers are becoming more important than the education. If a student drops your class, it's held against you, even if you had no control over it (family emergency, money, transportation, etc.)
For that reason, many of the instructors are afraid to enforce the rules too much.
Do any of you have similar situations, or do you still bravely enforce the rules no matter what?
Hi Karen,
As popular as cell phones are today, it is my opinion that every institution should have a cell phone policy. Cell phones can really be a disruption to the class.
Patricia
Hello Everyone.
Our institution's policy for cellphones is also strict but seems to work. We do not allow cell phone use in the building! If a cell phone goes off during a class session, the cell phone is removed from the student and kept with the instructor until the end of class. If it is a repeated offense, they receive a conduct violation. If a student gets "caught" on the cell phone while in the building (hall, breakroom); they are generally gently reminded to be outside, but they can receive a conduct violation.
As for emergencies, our students are given the main number to the school that they are to give to family members, babysitters,etc. If a student has a true emergency, the front desk is able to locte the student and retrieve them from class.
I take this policy a step further. I tell students on the first day that cell phone use is not permitted in the classroom (they have breaks every 50 minutes that can be used for this purpose). I follow that up by telling them that if I see someone using a cell phone in class (i.e. Facebook, texting, Internet browsing, etc.) that everyone in the class will write a 2-page paper on a topic I provide. This will happen each and every time I see a phone out in class.
I've been doing this for several terms and haven't had to actually enforce it yet because the students police themselves. I use the power of peer pressure to keep the students in line with the school's policy.
There are always exceptions to the rule. If a student is expecting an important phone call, they can make me aware of it before class and I let them know they can have their phone on vibrate and excuse themselves from the class to take it.
I like this idea and think I will begin to incorporate it in my next semester. I have students who are constantly inattentive and deducting class participation points may be the answer.
I have this same problem in my class as well where the students are looking at texts, eating and drinking when the rules state not to, or when they are supposed to be taking notes on their laptops they are on Facebook. I am definitely going to take the suggestion to do minute papers and make this apart of their grade. Each class I am going to designate a student to take notes and or be the observer and at the end of class they will have to go over the notes for review. And emphasize this action does effect their grades under participation credits.
It is a classroom rule that no cellphones usage are allowed in the classroom. The students are told this rule beginning of the term and it is emphasized often throughout the term. No cellphones should be seen or used in the classroom. If students break that rule they are asked to leave the classroom and go see the director of the program.
Be prepared to give a quick quiz on the subject you discussed. Try to have them some specific topic or point that you covered.
I agree with what you have said about the cell phone policy. It is our policy that cell phones are permitted but cannot be used during class time unless due to an emergency. I always set the ground rules on the first day of class but it never fails- many students still pull them out during lectures or otherwise and read/respond to a text. They will even do it when I am right in front of them. I've tried many approaches to give them the message that they are breaking my course policy not to mention that it is very rude. But they still do it!!!! Any suggestions other than just taking the phones away from them until the end of class (as if they are little kids!)?????
one thing i have found insainly helpful is... I have a small box that i carry into class. On the box it says, "Oops, I cought using my cell in class". The fact that it has that written on it plainly enough for all to read is a great encouragement for students not to use their phone in class. When they get caught, i take it at a break and put it in the box. They have to retireve it at the end of the class and no one wants to be seen going to get their phone back from the "oops" box. I try to remind them to be professional and adult-like. Where-ever they get a job, that place is not going to tollerate them being on the phone all the time.
Yeah, I can see both sides. Our campus originally did the whole "vibrate" policy but the students were still not paying attention in class and they were still causing an issue. Now, if they even have their phones in the class room at all, they are written up and sent home. I dod see your point about the whole common sense thing but what would her child have done if her mother were at her job? At least at school, they get a break every hour. We instruct everyone to give their family and friends the school's number and if there is an emergency then they should call that number. Like I said, I can see both sides. But, how often is is really something that can't wait 50 minutes or less until their next break?
Hi Linda,
I understand your perspective, but even if the phone is on vibrate and the student answers it outside the classroom, this is still a disruption for the student and others. There are many employers who do not allow cell phones during working hours. Remember, how things were before cell phones were so popular, people will contact you if there is a need, regardless.
Patricia
That does seem harsh -- marking the student absent for the day if the cell phone sounds. Life happens. Granted, the phone needs to be on vibrate, but some sudents are experiending events that they need to be immediately accessible (ill family member, even impending death), trades people returning calls to set appointments and, of course, there is the unplanned, unexpected emergencies.
It boils down to manners and respect for others in the classroom. Phone on vibrate, answer it outside the classroom.
Hi Patricia,
I think the cell phone policy at your institution may be a little too strict. You said, "If a student cell phone makes a sound, the student is removed from the class and counted absent." Think of the many "what ifs" that could happen at a student's home or to a student's family member that the student needs to be aware of. Case in point, there was a student who was working diligently in class taking a test and ignoring her continually vibrating calls and texts from her phone. Guess what, it was the student's child trying to contact her to advise that she had just been violated in the most horrific manner. Can you imagine the feeling that child had when she couldn't reach the one person she needed after such a traumatic event? Would it be right to count that mother absent because her cell phone vibrated during such an extenuating ordeal? I think not. I agree that we have to set boundaries, but we have to have some common sense as well.
Rhonda Daniels
Greetings,
Thankfully, I have not had a major issue with cell phone texting or web surfing via phone in my classroom. Last quarter, I taught two separate night classes and in each class, I had one student who I caught texting. I quickly reminded those students in the respective classes, that the class rules specifically prohibit texting, talking and web surfing during class. After that, I didn't have any additional problems with those students. It's just a matter of setting the rules and sticking to them!
Rhonda Daniels
I tell my students day one that cellphones are not tolerated. I am an adjunct and practice law also and I tell my students that I turn my phone off for the class because I think it would be disrespectful to them to take phonecalls during class and I expect the same from them. I also tell them that I understand about emergencies and that if the phone must be on it must be on viabrate and calls are to be taken/returned on breaks. Texting is forbidden and repeated violations will affect their class participation grade.
Hi Kyla,
At my institution our cell phone policy is a little stricter than your policy. If the cell phone makes a sound, the student is to leave the room and is to be marked absent for the day.
Patricia
Hi Linda,
You have a great attitude toward cell phones. I certainly understand your take on this. At my institution cell phones are not allowed. If a student cell phone makes a sound, the student is removed from the class and counted absent. We very rarely have cell phones going off.
Patricia
