Technology being a downfall in a classroom setting
In my classroom, every student has a laptop. Now a days, they also have smart phones which have internet access. During my lectures, and anytime I am speaking I have them all close their laptops and leave their phones in their bookbags. Walking through the school one day I peaked through the window of another intructors room and saw that he was lecturing and all of the laptops were open to Facebook, Yahoo, whatever. During lunch, I took him to the side to tell him this, and he was surprised to hear about it. He made a point to have all of them close them from then on and noticed an improvement in grades. : )
Its been helpful to see how others are dealing with the challenge of computers and phones in the classroom. Our students receive a daily score for professionalism. They begin with 10 points but can receive reductions for being tardy, not following dress code, using cell phones in class, etc. I was recently moved into a classroom that has a computer with internet access at each seat and have been pondering how to handle it. Of course the students are automatically drawn to use them from the moment they enter the room. Although I want to encourage use of technology that pertains to the field and would like to use the computers at times, I can see that I will have to incorporate a policy that they are to be used only when specifically instructed to do so.
Hi Jami,
We have a cell phone policy, and it is strictly enforced. You may need to get with your DOE and other instructors to perhaps adopt a cell phone policy.
Patricia Scales
I have this problem in my class everyday. I have had discussions with students about professionalism and how it is completely inappropriate. Today I had had it and made it very clear that as of tomorrow if I see a phone out in class I will start deducting points. I will not stop my lecture to ask them to put them away, I will simply deduct points. I am hoping that this will help deture students from texting or playing on their phones. Does anyone have any other ideas?
This is difficult for me when I teach information literacy. The second I walk away they often open a new tab to Facebook. I give my expectation at the beginning, but it is always an on going battle for me.
Hi Marc,
Great suggestions! At my institution we have a policy that is strictly enforced. This policy has kept this type of behavior down to a minimum.
Patricia Scales
Hi Scott,
Your college needs to look into adopting a policy pertaining to texting, and it should be enforced strictly with repercussions. Sometimes the only way to get people to understand is to hit them hard. Niceness doesn't work with some people. They will try to take advantage of your kindness.
Patricia Scales
see if your IT person at the school can put a block on websites. Also, refer to their student handbook or code of conduct and see if there is something about cell phone usage in a classroom. If nothing is mentioned in either of the two, change your syllabus around so that it will show future classes there will be points taken off since they are not participating. Good luck.
I have students that no matter how much I tell them to put the phones away, they still refuse. They hold them under the tables as if I can't see them. I tell them my expectations as far as phone use, that it isn't allowed in class, and they are free to leave the room if they need to use the phone. This is only a problem with the younger students. Other than negative reinforcement how can I get the students to stay off of facebook for 2 hours?
