Re: reducing cell phone disruptions in the classroom

[Beth Benoit]

Since I don't have the nerve to attempt Rod's wonderful solution, I combined some of Miguel Roig's and Rick Adams' points, and am putting the following on all of my syllabi.  I even left in the "precisely the kind of environment none of us wants or needs for our classes" because I liked the way it puts the students in charge of the learning atmosphere.  Thanks for the suggestions!   Cell phone policy: Any use of cell phones during class is highly distracting and disrespectful. Thus, the use of cell phones is not permitted during class time for any purpose and they are to be kept turned off and out of view inside pocketbooks, knapsacks, etc. Any student whose phone rings during class is hereby asked to leave the class (no need to wait for me to ask you to leave).  Cell phones distract other students from learning, disrupt lectures, and create an environment in which events outside the classroom appear to be more important than those occurring inside the classroom--precisely the kind of environment none of us wants or needs for our classes.   Beth Benoit University System of New Hampshire ----- Original Message ----- From: Hetzel, Rod To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:33 AM Subject: RE: reducing cell phone disruptions in the classroom I�ve found a very simple solution to the cell phone problem. The first time a cell phone rings in class, I walk over to the student and ask them to give me the phone so I can answer it. Usually, the student is so shocked that he or she gives me the phone. I then very politely tell the person on the other end of the line that they called during my class, we�re in the middle of an important class discussion, and I would hate to disrupt the learning for everyone so would he or she mind calling back when class is over. I take a fairly light-hearted approach when I do this, but the message comes across loud and clear that if your cell phone rings in class, then Dr. Hetzel is going to answer it. At most, this only happens once per semester. By doing this I�ve avoided having to put threatening words in a syllabus or make ultimatums at the beginning of the semester.      ___________________________________ Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D. Department of Psychology LeTourneau University Post Office Box 7001 2100 South Mobberly Avenue Longview, Texas  75607-7001 Office:   Education Center 218 Phone:    903-233-3893 Fax:      903-233-3851 Email:    [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: Rick Adams [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 6:33 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: RE: reducing cell phone disruptions in the classroom   You're probably being more generous than necessary, actually.   There are a number of points to keep in mind when it comes to cell phones (and, by extension, to laptops, PocketPCs, etc.): 1. Students really don't need to receive telephone calls during a class. Did you, when you were a student? If it's an emergency, a call to the college itself will result in someone notifying the student that he or she needs to call. If it isn't an emergency, it can wait until class is over.   2. Cell phones distract other students from learning, disrupt lectures, and create an environment in which events outside the classroom are (to the students) more important than those occurring inside the classroom--precisely the kind of environment none of us wants or needs for our classes.   3. Most calls are (relatively) unimportant. Do you really feel that a call to confirm a dinner date is more important than following a lecture on discrimination? Does your student? If not, then calls have no place in the classroom at all.   4. Cell phones are the tools of cheaters. This is a sad, but true, fact. During quizzes and tests many students will use a cell phone to cheat. How? A number of ways, but the easiest is simply to use the built-in camera to take pictures of the text (or notes) and "glance" at the screen while answering questions on those subjects during a test. Unless you have a VERY small classroom--or don't use closed book testing--the likelihood is that the student will get away with it. Students are "creative" when it comes to this kind of activity--a cell phone may be in their lap (and you DON'T want to go around a classroom staring at your student's laps unless you want sexual harassment accusations!), in a book bag open to at the top, or actually lying on the desk. Another, similar, technique is for one student to use a speed dial button to call another and for one of them (or several, in a conference call) to view the work of one of the group (who sends it from the camera in his or her phone) as he or she answers the questions on the exam. If students take turns doing this, it means that only one of the group needs to study for any given test!   There are dozens of other reasons allow cell phones in the classroom--but these, alone, are good enough to justify banning them outright. Students who DO want to learn the material will appreciate the fact that they won't be distracted--and those who planned to cheat, or who view the class as "required but dull" will have the chance to consider dropping the course in favor of something more appropriate--such as applied basket weaving!   In my on-ground classes (most of my teaching is now online--hooray!), I explain the disadvantages of cell phones to students and use a very simple policy--cell phones MUST be turned off AND put away during the class, or the student will receive no credit for participation (part of their grade for the class) for that class at all--and any student who has a cell phone (or PocketPC) where he or she can see it during a test or quiz receives a 0.0 for the test. A student expecting a legitimately important call (one who has a sick child, etc.) can inform me before class and an exception will be made (although, during a quiz or test, his or her cell phone MUST remain face down on the desk at all times and during lecture the cell phone must be set to vibrate and be in a pocket or his or her lap). The policy works--and students have even told me they appreciated it as it allowed them to concentrate on the course instead of the conversation of the person sitting next to them!   Rick   -- Rick Adams Capella University, Graduate School of Technology Grand Canyon University, Online Schools of Graduate Studies & Social Sciences. Jackson Community College, Department of Social Sciences [EMAIL PROTECTED] "... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're gone." -Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible"     From: Miguel Roig [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 8:13 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: reducing cell phone disruptions in the classroom Hi, folks.  I really dislike disruptions caused by cell phones going off during class.  Last year, I opted to occasionally remind students throughout the semester, right before the beginning of class, to simply turn off their phones or set them to vibrate. That approach seemed to have reduced the number of times cell phones would go off, but what I have also been noticing is that some students will check their phones periodically in the middle of class and, frankly, I find all that activity downright annoying.   I am currently preparing my course outlines for the upcoming semester and I am considering inserting the following statement. CELL PHONE USE AND LAPTOP POLICY: I consider any use of cell phones during class to be highly distracting and disrespectful. Thus, the use of cell phones is not permitted during class time for any purpose and they are to be kept turned off and out of view inside pocketbooks, knapsacks, etc. Any student whose phone rings during class is hereby asked to leave the class (no need to wait for me to ask you to leave) and s/he will lose 5 points in the next exam. For the second offense, the matter will be forwarded to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. With respect to laptops, you are welcome to use your laptop in this class, but only for class-related purposes (e.g., note-taking). No other use of the laptop (e.g., instant messaging, internet surfing) is allowed. Violation of this policy will result in penalties, such as those given for inappropriate cell phone use. Am I being too harsh?  Any other comments? Miguel   --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]