Texting Student
There was a student in a class that continually text during lecture. To get her attention, the faculty member text her a message during break and asked her to stop texting in class. After this forum, I wonder if instead the faculty member should have created small groups and evaluated the class prior to this reaction... although it did seem to correct the behavior!
Our program also has a no cell/texting policy however I walk by classroom windows and see the students with the cell phones under the desks texting away. Maybe the lecture is boring...maybe they are thinking WIIIFM... Who knows. Are they just rude and unprofessional?
We can fight them until we are blue in the face and they will still find a way to text.
I "feel" they are the ones losing out on the valuable education and words of wisdom from the professor teaching the course. It has to be their choice to decide which is more important. The text that could wait or listen to something that may help them pass a National Examination.
Hi Darlene,
In rare situations as you have mentioned, I have known instructors to have their students take their phone up front to the registrar, and when the call comes through, the registrar gets the student out of class. The system works beautifully.
Patricia
I also am having a big problem with cell phone use. It is my observation that some students have an addiction to their cell phone. Our program rule states cell phones are not allowed during class time, but some of my students need to keep their phones with them due to a spouse that is deployed, an emergency sitition, sick child or family member. These are just a few examples of students who have a need for their cell phone. Which leads to the problem if one student is allowed their phone all students should be allowed, this creates an issue of need versus abuse. Not to mention the fact of breaking the no cell rule. I have considered the use of a cell phone holding area within the class and phones put on vibrate mode, but I don't want to be responsible for student property.
Hi James,
You are right, rules must be shared on the first day and students must be reprimanded if they break the rules so that they will know that you are serious.
Patricia
It should be made perfectly clear from the first day
of class that this behavior is unacceptable, and a written warning on the first infraction. I also like the idea of texting the texter.
We also have a no cell phone policy but students do not read their handbooks and it is not widely enforced as it should be. Facebook and social network sites are also a problem during class as you said. I had a student actually try to tell me that he needed Facebook to keep in touch with his family business even though he had a cell phone that I repeatedly found him texting. So this semsester I put my rules directly on my class syllabus so there would be no excuse for not reading the school handbook.
I incorporated a Facebook assignment into my class for COMM 151 (Interpersonal Communications). It caused the students to use Facebook, relate it to our chapters, and use higher order thinking skills. It was composed of a research paper and a group project. The class liked the assignment, but I think after that they were sick of Facebook! I haven't had a problem since! Facebook is a neat medium for learning if we can use the technology to our benefit.
Hi Benita,
You are more than fair when it comes to the cell phone. I give my students one 10-minute break. I have a zero tolerance for cell phones. Even adult students will take advantage of the situation if allowed. The work place is not going to tolerate this type of behavior.
Patricia
I agree on all counts. I too have a no cell phone policy. I give the students two 10 minute breaks per class. I feel that is more than enough time to check the phone.I hold to a policy of if your in class and texting you will lose your cell phone for the rest of class. I understand the family issues etc. however many students try to take advantage of that as well.
Seriously how many times can their house be on fire, cat ran away and I have to get to the hospital My Aunt Grettie is dieing for the tenth time. They will continue to push the limits.
Normally a sugestion is enough for most students. But there is always the one who want to press the issue.
I find texting during class very disruptive, if it something that is important, then they need to leave the class. Class time is ment for learning
I like the "texting the texter" solution - anything that shows the student you're not as oblivious as they think while still incorporating a bit of humor tends to go over well in my experience.
Hi Karina,
Wow! Generation Y takes all of this technology way too serious. As educators we have our challenges with students utilizing technology.
Patricia
Student Arrested For Classroom Texting
FEBRUARY 17--A 14-year-old Wisconsin girl who refused to stop texting during a high school math class was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, according to police. The teenager was busted last Wednesday at Wauwatosa East High School after she ignored a teacher's demand that she cease texting. The girl, whose name we have redacted from the below Wauwatosa Police Department report, initially denied having a phone when confronted by a school security officer. However, the phone was located after the girl was frisked by a female cop. The Samsung Cricket, the police report noted, was recovered 'from the buttocks area' of the teenager. The student was issued a criminal citation for disorderly conduct, which carried 'a bail of $298,' and had her phone confiscated. The girl, who was barred from school property for a week, is scheduled for an April 20 court appearance on the misdemeanor rap. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/student-arrested-classroom-texting
I see your point Jacqueline. I have a student just like this. I have decided to let the school administrators deal with her. She refuses to listens to any of her instructors on this policy.
Hi Jennifer,
This does the trick every time. At my institution we have a no cell phone policy in the classroom. We do not have a problem with texting.
Patricia
I will ask them a question about what we are discussing and they get the hint.
Hi Jacqueline,
This one young lady needs to be dealt with individually. Everyone should not have to suffer because of her wrong doing. I am sure there is a reperscussion for breaking the cell phone policy. Punish this one student according to the repercussion for not abiding by the rule.
Patricia
There are some excellent ideas bouncing around in this thread. :)
I have been teaching for over twenty years, and the "social networking malaise" (as I call it), whether it is texting or "Facebooking," may very well be the most challenging classroom issue of all for me, in terms of getting students to focus their attention and stay on task.
Many of the adult learners in my classes have small children at home, and emergencies and unforseen situations happen. I understand that. Accordingly, we are encouraged by our administration to use flexibility with our individual cell phone policies within our classrooms. During the first session, I ask students to leave their phones on vibrate and leave the room if there is an emergency. However, some of these folks are *good* in terms of being able to hold a cell phone in a pocket and send a message without looking at it.
Short of buying a cellphone jammer and putting it in my classroom, I really don't know how to stop it, as long as there is a flexible policy in place.
The Facebook issue is also a problem for me on the laptops, because I encourage students to use computers in class. Our firewall has Facebook blocked, but of course if one or two students are able to get around it, the firewall is useless.
If this course is improved upon or revised, I would be interested in seeing a category of "the social networker" or something to that effect included in this module. :)
