We also have a no cell phone during class policy, and the students always want to challenge that. If they are expecting an important call, I'll let them handle their business, in the hall. Otherwise, it is a distraction, and the process begins...verbal warning, write up...
We have a no cell phone policy at our campus and it makes the students aware of how important i is to pay attention and respect , the classmates and instructor.
@elizabeth617
I agree with you about letting them make their own decisions. However, their phone usage can be very distracting to me. A lot of my students have children so I have set the rule that they can have their phones available to them to easily receive calls or texts in regards to emergenciee ie:) picking ill kids up from school/daycare etc. All other instances of phone use should be done on their time.
@elizabeth617 : We have a Zero Cell phone policy in the classroom. If you have an emergency take it out in the hall. If you are caught with your phone out in the classroom, you get a ZERO for class participation, and ZERO's for any work, or test that you are doing for that day. We have caught many students using their phones to cheat on tests in the past, so therefore they are not allowed to have their phones out during class. PERIOD.
@elizabeth617 : I require them to slip out to the hall if they have an emergency call or text. I also tell them if they keep slipping out they will have to go homoe as this is to distracting to the others. I often catch them texting under the table, I call them on it right there and if it happens again they are dismissed for the remainder of the day. Usually only take one to hget caught. If the phone is out durni9ng the test they are given a zero and take to the education manager and documented in their file and depending on the facts in his or her file ( such as this is the third incident in the year he or she will be expelled for cheating) .
We have a policy that students are not allow to use their cell phones during class. We tell them to give the main number for ermergencies (obviously this would not work for larger programs). There is a clear diciplinary chain in the syllabus. First time is a verbal warning, second time written, and so on.
Totally agree with Marianne and Lee-Ellen. We must recognize that technology is here to stay however I believe setting the parameters and most important being the model for our students is most important. How many instructors have you seen on their cell phones or worse yet....with a blue tooth flashing and talking during class time??? I've seen it and I'm always stunned.
I agree with Lee-Ellen on this subject. Setting the expectation up front that cell phones are not permitted -unless there is an emergency + they let me know about it. I try to use the "normative" approach here as I have my cell phone on me - I show it to them, I indicate it's on vibrate + that if I get an important call - I will step out of the room (where I can still see them through the window of the door) and take the call. I expect them to do the same.
Reality steps in @ times and cannot be denied. If the use of the cell phone is repetitive and consistent - and not an emergency - I use the professionalism grade to penalize them. This expectation is outlined @ the beginning of class.
I agree that cell phones are a problem in the classroom, however, seeting the ground rules and enforcingthem in the lecture does show the class that rules are in place for a reason. The students must realize that cell phpone use takes them away from learning, which could hold them back from progress and learning.
I don't take them away except in an exam situation; we ask them to place their phones at the front of the room & pick them up when they complete their exam.
Of course, if they use them during class, I approach them about it.
We live in a connected world however I feel that limits need to be set. Having a phone visible is one thing but having it in one's hand to is tempting to use and can be distracting. I explain to my students that I understand the importance of staying connected since I have family and they are a priority. So realizing there may be something one needs to stay on top of just requires the phone be visible but not in one's hand. I also realize the value of the phone as a resource in class and will utilize the resource as part of our work to create a teamwork environment in my class which makes the phone friend and not foe. I find students are more cooperative overall and the phones do not become an issue. I have the rule that if an important comes in that must be taken, that the student leave the classroom and I prefer to know in advance if this is likely to occur.
I do not fuss or make a big deal about my students having cell phones out in my classroom. I simply continue my lecture and quietly without making a scene go over to them I will grab/take their cell phone slip it in my pocket and continue teaching. I do not make a big deal out of it and my students do not get upset with me at all
I give students the leeway of having their phones available IF they let me know they have family issues going on that day. Otherwise, they may check their phones at break. I do not allow bookbags or phones near the student during testing. If I see a phone being used during class, I reduced their participation grade by 50%. I do not call them out on it because it usually fixes itself, though once or twice I have had to do so.
I am also torn on this subject...they will do everything to attempt to hide it during class because it is clearly written on our syllabus that cell phones are not permitted. Should these be taken away?
