Students and cell phones
One of my biggest problems is students texting during lecture. Although this behavior is explicitly prohibited in the syllabus, many students have their cell phones out and text throughout the period. This semester I stressed the first day of class that I do not want to see a cell out during class. They cannot use their cell phone as a calculator (I teach math). I explain that if they are texting that they are not listening and concentrating and math requires full concentration. I still have had students text however. They think I don't see it so when I do, I look at them and mouth "put it away." Or I walk back to their desks and tell them to put it away. If they just put it aside I say "I don't want to see it at all." I receive glares and big sighs but it seems to have done the trick so far.
Hi Stephanie,
I agree! At my institution we have a zero tolerance in the classroom for cell phones. If a student's cell phone goes off, the student has to leave the classroom, and it counts as an absence.
Patricia
I agree with having no tolerance when it comes to cell phones going off in class. Texting should be prohibited as well. Students should excuse themselves if they must take a phone call. I would personally ask a student to leave and mark them absent if they are caught texting while in class.
Hi Patrick,
My institution has a cell phone policy, and it works beautifully. Students break every 50 minutes at my institution as well, and they can make contact then. There are many companies that have adopted cell phone policies. We need to prepare our students for the real world.
Patricia
I don't allow cell phone use in class and fortunately the policy seems to work well. We have a break every 50 minutes so the students are never too far out of contact with their family and friends. I made it clear in the syllabus and on day one of class that texting or other cell phone use would have a negative impact on their participation grades.
I do the same. It really does take only one time that a student gets a zero for their cell phone being out during a test for that policy to work. My students automatically put their cell phones on vibrate and put them away before tests without my even having to mention it.
Actually I like this one and for me it is not too strict. One time and they might learn it is unacceptable.
I don't know if this one might be too strong for you but if I catch them texting I have them leave the class until the next hour. On the first day of class I cover classroom etiquette and discuss the phones. Usually one person texts and I ask them to leave and the rest of the group sees that I follow through. Usually I only have on or two a quarter.
We try to have a policy that if cell phones go off during class, we reserve the right to quiz the class over the material. Sometimes this is a great use of peer pressure because students don't like getting blamed by other students.
I usually tell them up front to turn the phone off. Occasionally, I will have a student who is expecting a call from a sick relative, (sic) and I tell them that as long as it is on vibrate, that is fine. I also ask the student to go either in the hall or outside to take the call--I tell them that no one wants to know their business.
Hi James,
Cell phones can be a great tool, but it can also work against us as eductaors, such as students using cell phones to assist with cheating.
Patricia
I agree cell phone are a necesity in these times. If I have a student that is expecting a important call, I ask them to let me know and I will allow them to make or recieve a call outside of the class room. Other than that I will not allow cell phones in the class room. I have had occasions of students cheating on test via text messaging.
Hi Jodi,
Cell phone policy has a little different twist to it, but I like how you make the student at fault accountable for their phone going off and having to pay for such poor choice by providing snacks to others at his/her expense.
Patricia
Many of my students are single parents so I explain that part of my policy is that if they need to leave the phone on in case of an emergency with their child, they must have it on vibrate. If they have a phone out during a test or quiz, I take it away from them and I walk around before the test or quiz to make sure they are all away. I also make it clear to them that if I hear a phone during class and it is not on vibrate, they need to bring in snacks for the entire class during the following class period's break. In this way, the class holds the other students responsible for maintaining this policy as they hound the student for their snacks if their phones go off
I enjoy the cut and dry policy that you have. I feel that it is best to let the rules be known and follow up on them appropriately.
Hi Laura,
Your students are lucky. You really do try to work with them. At my institution the policy is if your cell phone goes off, you will be marked absent for that class and all work due will be graded as a 0.
Patricia
I have the same policy for my classes during a test or a quiz but I also took it one step further this quarter. I have a policy that I discuss on the first day class and give each student a copy of this policy and they have to sign stating that they have received a copy and will follow the policy: 1st time I catch you texting in class they will be asked to leave class (if it is something that is important they need to go to the student lounge to text not in class) and they can return the next class. 2nd time they will be dismissed again and they cannot return until they have a conference with myself and their department chair. 3rd time same as 2nd but in the conference will be the Director of Education.
Cell phone can be an issue in any classroom. I lived through crisis situations where that have been absolutely necessary to provided information to the outside. I just ask my students to place their phones on vibrate and if an emergency arises just leave and take care of the issue. We can discuss it before the next class.
You need to stand firm in what you want. It's a reasonable expectation that is expected in the work environment also. I tell my students to only use their cell phones if it's an emergency. I mention that their actions (texting) is impacting the entire class and I would appreciate it if they would be respectful to their fellow students. To date, I haven't had many issues.
Hi Tonya,
I like the strictness of your policy, and I especially like how you enforce it. You have to let your students know that you mean business, and you are not a push over.
Patricia
We also have a policy for cell phones but students still bring them to classes. I also have a policy that if I see a cell phone out during quizzes or exams that I will ask no questions and will just take up the quiz/exam and they will get a grade of zero. I explain that in the past I have had students texting answers, photographing tests, etc. So I explain the policy the first class meeting and I enforce the policy. It did not take but one time for word to get out that I was serious.
