Check your phone at the (classroom) door.
August 16, 2013 2:44 AM Subscribe
Are there compelling legal or safety reasons that would make a blanket "cell phones off" policy in a college classroom a bad idea?
I'm finalizing a syllabus for a course I'm teaching at a university where I have not taught previously. Given the opportunity to redesign all aspects of the course, and having finished the really important stuff, I'm looking at some of my older policies a bit more closely.
It's been my experience that requests to keep cell phones silent still results in really disruptive buzzing sounds, as people's phones inevitably vibrate against binders/laptops/snack foods/whatever else is in their bags. (And, of course, there are the folks who forget to switch it to "vibrate" in the first place.) I accept that people will likely forget or try to get around it, but my thinking is that emphasizing "off" instead of "vibrate" is likely to get me closer to the end result that I want, as the difference between okay and not-okay would be more obvious. Since this course is primarily lecture-based, it's material I haven't taught before, and it's a fairly small class (<30 students), I'm just hoping to avoid that kind of distraction as much as possible.
I'd be willing to allow people to keep their phones on "silent" mode if they won't vibrate, and I'd be willing to let them take important calls if they know they're coming (e.g., seniors hearing from prospective employers) or to use the phone as a hearing or recording device as part of accommodations for some kind of disability (which I've had students do before).
So, I suppose my questions are:
1) Can I get in trouble for requiring this? (I've checked with the department head, who doesn't seem to mind - I'm thinking more of laws or other regulations. I'm in CA, if it matters.)
2) Assuming that I'm aware of the very real, if unlikely, possibility of a school shooting - are there other scenarios where having everyone's phone on and at the ready would be a plus? (There is a phone in the classroom already, which is connected to a land line.)
Response from my colleagues and grad school buddies has been positive, but I want to put this to a broader audience, too. Thanks!
I'm finalizing a syllabus for a course I'm teaching at a university where I have not taught previously. Given the opportunity to redesign all aspects of the course, and having finished the really important stuff, I'm looking at some of my older policies a bit more closely.
It's been my experience that requests to keep cell phones silent still results in really disruptive buzzing sounds, as people's phones inevitably vibrate against binders/laptops/snack foods/whatever else is in their bags. (And, of course, there are the folks who forget to switch it to "vibrate" in the first place.) I accept that people will likely forget or try to get around it, but my thinking is that emphasizing "off" instead of "vibrate" is likely to get me closer to the end result that I want, as the difference between okay and not-okay would be more obvious. Since this course is primarily lecture-based, it's material I haven't taught before, and it's a fairly small class (<30 students), I'm just hoping to avoid that kind of distraction as much as possible.
I'd be willing to allow people to keep their phones on "silent" mode if they won't vibrate, and I'd be willing to let them take important calls if they know they're coming (e.g., seniors hearing from prospective employers) or to use the phone as a hearing or recording device as part of accommodations for some kind of disability (which I've had students do before).
So, I suppose my questions are:
1) Can I get in trouble for requiring this? (I've checked with the department head, who doesn't seem to mind - I'm thinking more of laws or other regulations. I'm in CA, if it matters.)
2) Assuming that I'm aware of the very real, if unlikely, possibility of a school shooting - are there other scenarios where having everyone's phone on and at the ready would be a plus? (There is a phone in the classroom already, which is connected to a land line.)
Response from my colleagues and grad school buddies has been positive, but I want to put this to a broader audience, too. Thanks!
Second katrielalex. You've mentioned it's a small class, do you need to come out so formal on the requirement? Sit down, have this exact discussion and get people on board with being completely present for the class. Anyone that absolutely needs their phone on is going to do it anyhow or excuse themselves.
If you want to lay it down all formal like, just ask that people use the actual silent setting instead of vibrate, that way they can leave it face up on their desk and still be notified of calls or texts.
posted by analoguezen at 3:11 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
If you want to lay it down all formal like, just ask that people use the actual silent setting instead of vibrate, that way they can leave it face up on their desk and still be notified of calls or texts.
posted by analoguezen at 3:11 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
Get to know everyone's name.
When Jimny's cellphone rings or vibrates, being able to say "Jimmy, please put your phone on vibrate" holds a lot more guilt-weight than anonymous chastising.
posted by oceanjesse at 3:18 AM on August 16, 2013 [6 favorites]
When Jimny's cellphone rings or vibrates, being able to say "Jimmy, please put your phone on vibrate" holds a lot more guilt-weight than anonymous chastising.
posted by oceanjesse at 3:18 AM on August 16, 2013 [6 favorites]
Take points off their final grade for each instance of their cell phone disrupting class.
posted by Rob Rockets at 3:26 AM on August 16, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Rob Rockets at 3:26 AM on August 16, 2013 [6 favorites]
Rather than require people to do x, why not state at the beginning of the class:
"Please put your phones on silent. I would prefer you switch them off so as to not distract you or your fellow classmates. If your phones are on vibrate mode, please move them away hard surfaces where they will make a noise. I want you to get the most from this class, and will ask repeat offenders to leave the class to be fair to those among you who wish to learn."
posted by MuffinMan at 3:32 AM on August 16, 2013 [5 favorites]
"Please put your phones on silent. I would prefer you switch them off so as to not distract you or your fellow classmates. If your phones are on vibrate mode, please move them away hard surfaces where they will make a noise. I want you to get the most from this class, and will ask repeat offenders to leave the class to be fair to those among you who wish to learn."
posted by MuffinMan at 3:32 AM on August 16, 2013 [5 favorites]
Just make a policy that cell phones must not make noise INCLUDING buzzing from vibrate, text notifications, etc. How students achieve this (switch to silent without vibrating, turn off, etc.) is up to them.
posted by Jacqueline at 4:02 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Jacqueline at 4:02 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Not so many years ago, there was no such thing as students with cell phones. Good things happened (getting a job offer, to use one of your examples), bad things happened (family breakup), but classes were disrupted by such news ... Students that are there, other than the one (at a time) getting a phone call, deserve to have their lecture uninterrupted by distractions from cell phones: many of them go in debt for the privilege of getting the best education possible.
posted by aroberge at 4:04 AM on August 16, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by aroberge at 4:04 AM on August 16, 2013 [5 favorites]
Here's my syllabus policy (cribbed from others):
Communication and media use
This is a technology and communication course. You are expected to communicate and use digital media appropriately and thoughtfully. Media misuse undermines the educational experience in and out of class for all. This means:
IN CLASS:
• Cell phones should be turned off.
• Laptops and/or tablet computers should be used only to enhance your engagement with the class. If you are not taking notes, referring to the digital readings, or looking up things immediately relevant to what is being discussed and then contributing your findings to discussion, laptops and/or tablet computers should be turned off and put away.
• Texting, chatting, checking Facebook, doing work for other courses, watching YouTube etc is a distraction not just to you but to everyone else in the room. Please don’t do it.
• Face-to-face chatter is equally problematic. If you need to talk to your classmate during the time that the class meets, demonstrate respect for the rest of us by doing it someplace else.
• Sleep is great. Get enough at night so you don’t need to do it in class.
• OUTSIDE OF CLASS:
• Email, phone and other communications with instructors and fellow students should be respectful and professional. Treat these as formal relationships.
• Your full name should be included.
• You should have a salutation. The instructor prefers to be called Dr. x or Prof. x.
• Use correct capitalization, grammar and spelling.
• Dr. x will try to respond to all emails with 48 hours, do not expect a response before then. Do not expect a response to you evenings, nights or weekends.
• Keep in mind that emailing an excuse does not mean that the excuse is accepted.
• The answer to “did I miss anything?” is always yes.
• If you are in doubt about your tone, ask yourself: If this message appeared on websites worldwide would it reflect well on me? It happens.
• All rules regarding academic integrity extend to electronic communication.
posted by k8t at 4:09 AM on August 16, 2013 [37 favorites]
Communication and media use
This is a technology and communication course. You are expected to communicate and use digital media appropriately and thoughtfully. Media misuse undermines the educational experience in and out of class for all. This means:
IN CLASS:
• Cell phones should be turned off.
• Laptops and/or tablet computers should be used only to enhance your engagement with the class. If you are not taking notes, referring to the digital readings, or looking up things immediately relevant to what is being discussed and then contributing your findings to discussion, laptops and/or tablet computers should be turned off and put away.
• Texting, chatting, checking Facebook, doing work for other courses, watching YouTube etc is a distraction not just to you but to everyone else in the room. Please don’t do it.
• Face-to-face chatter is equally problematic. If you need to talk to your classmate during the time that the class meets, demonstrate respect for the rest of us by doing it someplace else.
• Sleep is great. Get enough at night so you don’t need to do it in class.
• OUTSIDE OF CLASS:
• Email, phone and other communications with instructors and fellow students should be respectful and professional. Treat these as formal relationships.
• Your full name should be included.
• You should have a salutation. The instructor prefers to be called Dr. x or Prof. x.
• Use correct capitalization, grammar and spelling.
• Dr. x will try to respond to all emails with 48 hours, do not expect a response before then. Do not expect a response to you evenings, nights or weekends.
• Keep in mind that emailing an excuse does not mean that the excuse is accepted.
• The answer to “did I miss anything?” is always yes.
• If you are in doubt about your tone, ask yourself: If this message appeared on websites worldwide would it reflect well on me? It happens.
• All rules regarding academic integrity extend to electronic communication.
posted by k8t at 4:09 AM on August 16, 2013 [37 favorites]
I recently attended a teaching with technology conference where I went to a session on technology in the classroom. The professor that presented said that students look to instructors for a cell phone policy and the instructors who set a firm policy, reiterate the policy routinely, and enforce their policy typically have less cell phone/off topic computer use. He has published his research but I cannot remember his name. . .He is at CU Boulder. He also requires those using laptops to sit in the front row and then asks people to leave if they are on facebook.
My university wants us to ask students to silence their phones due to emergency notifications. I am inclined to follow that because we also allow concealed carry in the classroom (EEK!!) so there are guns on campus already.
posted by rachums at 4:30 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
My university wants us to ask students to silence their phones due to emergency notifications. I am inclined to follow that because we also allow concealed carry in the classroom (EEK!!) so there are guns on campus already.
posted by rachums at 4:30 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
The solution Rob Rockets proposes is the one that is most like the corporate world. There are no lengthy rules or ways to try to convince. Sometimes there's a single reminder at the beginning of a meeting, but usually not. But when your phone rings/buzzes/vibrates in the middle of an important presentation, you look like an idiot and that affects your career.
posted by Houstonian at 4:45 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Houstonian at 4:45 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
My cell phone policy mentions something like "disruptive" events which, covers more than ringing. If their phone disrupts me they are expected to quietly and quickly leave the room and cannot return to class until they've spoken to me in my office. When they come see me, I don't mark them down or anything. I just make it clear that I don't expect it to happen again. (Essentially the policy is seen as so embarrassing by the students that they are really good about phone vigilance, but the policy is more bark than bite.)
In practice I think I've had to have one student visit with me in three years.
I also inform students that if they have a qualifying event that requires them to keep their phone active (not many count, a job offer wouldn't) they must inform me ahead of time.
Finally, you could have them put their phones in airplane mode. This should not interrupt any recording or assistance functions while still cutting them off from their various networks (they should still silence the phones in case of alarms, etc.). This is a good compromise measure that still gets you what you want.
posted by oddman at 4:50 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
In practice I think I've had to have one student visit with me in three years.
I also inform students that if they have a qualifying event that requires them to keep their phone active (not many count, a job offer wouldn't) they must inform me ahead of time.
Finally, you could have them put their phones in airplane mode. This should not interrupt any recording or assistance functions while still cutting them off from their various networks (they should still silence the phones in case of alarms, etc.). This is a good compromise measure that still gets you what you want.
posted by oddman at 4:50 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
To be honest, in my own classroom, LAPTOPS are way way way more distracting than phones.
Maybe 1 or 2 times a year a phone goes off. The person is embarrassed and turns it off. This happens at movies and events too, so I let it go.
On the other hand, students are on Facebook or otherwise screwing around on the web ALL THE TIME. (This has been my experience with graduate students and undergraduate students at various universities across the U.S.)
Having a good laptop policy is far more important if your concern is distractability.
posted by k8t at 4:56 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
Maybe 1 or 2 times a year a phone goes off. The person is embarrassed and turns it off. This happens at movies and events too, so I let it go.
On the other hand, students are on Facebook or otherwise screwing around on the web ALL THE TIME. (This has been my experience with graduate students and undergraduate students at various universities across the U.S.)
Having a good laptop policy is far more important if your concern is distractability.
posted by k8t at 4:56 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
The problem I've had in class is not with students' phones ringing (they're really good at turning them off, compared to a few years ago), or even with them quickly reading a text. The problem I've had is students texting during class. That's the part I can't stand.
Some schools have a text message alert for weather emergencies, school closings, etc., that would include an alert if there were a shooter on campus. The only way you'll get those messages is if phones are on. And I hope you're not paying attention to your own phone, if you're teaching.
So my policy is that students are adults, and sometimes you get messages you need to read or calls you need to take. If it's important enough to respond, then it is important enough to leave the classroom and respond. Texting during class is never OK. Either it's an emergency and you go in the hall for a minute, or it's not and you wait until class is over.
posted by orange (sherbet) rabbit at 5:20 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Some schools have a text message alert for weather emergencies, school closings, etc., that would include an alert if there were a shooter on campus. The only way you'll get those messages is if phones are on. And I hope you're not paying attention to your own phone, if you're teaching.
So my policy is that students are adults, and sometimes you get messages you need to read or calls you need to take. If it's important enough to respond, then it is important enough to leave the classroom and respond. Texting during class is never OK. Either it's an emergency and you go in the hall for a minute, or it's not and you wait until class is over.
posted by orange (sherbet) rabbit at 5:20 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
I don't think this is reasonable. I work in a university, though I am not faculty.
I have witnessed and heard about more than a few instances when a cell phone went off in a class because:
*a student's mother went into labor, and she had to go to the hospital
*a family emergency was occurring that required the student to leave immediately
*a faculty member collapsed during class and the classroom was not equipped with a wall phone. Students called 911 from cell phones.
*emergency text alerts and phone calls from the UNIVERSITY ITSELF are sent to cell phones for all staff and students --- meaning if there is an emergency pertaining to the university, turning off cell phones means a delay in getting those calls/texts.
*a student who was responsible for the family business while his parents were on vacation had to leave class due to a crisis pertaining to the business
I think what you can do is require phones to be on "silent" but people can leave them on their desks so if they get a text or a call, they can decide if they need to take it or not. "Silent" is different from vibrate. My phone makes no noise when it is on silent. The screen just lights up as it does for any call or text coming through when the sound or vibrate feature is on. Completely silent is an option.
Also --- for some students who have some kinds of disabilities, this policy could go up against that if the cell phone has accommodation features the university is required to allow a student to use --- then you run into the problem of why that student gets an exception and others don't, and you run the risk of outing that student as having a disability or class management problems if you don't.
I would find a way to accept that cell phones are a part of college classrooms now, and you have to find a way to allow their reasonable use in this period of increased personal technological devices.
posted by zizzle at 5:31 AM on August 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
I have witnessed and heard about more than a few instances when a cell phone went off in a class because:
*a student's mother went into labor, and she had to go to the hospital
*a family emergency was occurring that required the student to leave immediately
*a faculty member collapsed during class and the classroom was not equipped with a wall phone. Students called 911 from cell phones.
*emergency text alerts and phone calls from the UNIVERSITY ITSELF are sent to cell phones for all staff and students --- meaning if there is an emergency pertaining to the university, turning off cell phones means a delay in getting those calls/texts.
*a student who was responsible for the family business while his parents were on vacation had to leave class due to a crisis pertaining to the business
I think what you can do is require phones to be on "silent" but people can leave them on their desks so if they get a text or a call, they can decide if they need to take it or not. "Silent" is different from vibrate. My phone makes no noise when it is on silent. The screen just lights up as it does for any call or text coming through when the sound or vibrate feature is on. Completely silent is an option.
Also --- for some students who have some kinds of disabilities, this policy could go up against that if the cell phone has accommodation features the university is required to allow a student to use --- then you run into the problem of why that student gets an exception and others don't, and you run the risk of outing that student as having a disability or class management problems if you don't.
I would find a way to accept that cell phones are a part of college classrooms now, and you have to find a way to allow their reasonable use in this period of increased personal technological devices.
posted by zizzle at 5:31 AM on August 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
As o(s)r said, these are adults, not children. While it is true that not that many years ago no one had cell phones and it was fine, that is not the society we live in now.
It is surprisingly difficult to turn an iPhone to completely silent (no vibrating alerts). You would basically be requiring that your students either manually reconfigure all of their alerts at the start of class, or wholesale turn off vibrating alerts for the entire semester. Neither of these sounds practical.
I can't tell if the goal of this policy is to maintain a disruption free environment for the other students, if the vibrations bother you personally, or if you simply want to institute a rule that forces students to pay closer attention in class. I would argue that goal #1 is the only one you can realistically work toward, and with that in mind I would recommend the following policy:
Please set your phones to silent before the start of class. If your phone becomes a disruption to the rest of class, please immediately silence it or remove it (and yourself) from the classroom.
posted by telegraph at 5:31 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
It is surprisingly difficult to turn an iPhone to completely silent (no vibrating alerts). You would basically be requiring that your students either manually reconfigure all of their alerts at the start of class, or wholesale turn off vibrating alerts for the entire semester. Neither of these sounds practical.
I can't tell if the goal of this policy is to maintain a disruption free environment for the other students, if the vibrations bother you personally, or if you simply want to institute a rule that forces students to pay closer attention in class. I would argue that goal #1 is the only one you can realistically work toward, and with that in mind I would recommend the following policy:
Please set your phones to silent before the start of class. If your phone becomes a disruption to the rest of class, please immediately silence it or remove it (and yourself) from the classroom.
posted by telegraph at 5:31 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
If you want to lay it down all formal like, just ask that people use the actual silent setting instead of vibrate, that way they can leave it face up on their desk and still be notified of calls or texts.
My policy is that phones are turned off and put away. If a student is expecting an important contact, they can let me know, and I will make an exception. The problem with students fiddling with their phones is that it distracts both them and the students immediately around them, disrupting the class and using time that would be better spent on the actual lesson. Students need to learn to go 50-75 minutes without being "connected," if only because workplaces are likely to demand that of them. Focusing on the task at hand is a skill, and a valuable one.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:08 AM on August 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
My policy is that phones are turned off and put away. If a student is expecting an important contact, they can let me know, and I will make an exception. The problem with students fiddling with their phones is that it distracts both them and the students immediately around them, disrupting the class and using time that would be better spent on the actual lesson. Students need to learn to go 50-75 minutes without being "connected," if only because workplaces are likely to demand that of them. Focusing on the task at hand is a skill, and a valuable one.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:08 AM on August 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
If it's worth anything to you, I'd suggest that it's unlikely students will turn off their cell phones whether you require it or not. My experience is that airline passengers don't. The flight attendant tells everybody FAA regulations require all phones be turned off, and roughly a third of the passengers comply. Another third puts them on silent and puts them away, and the remaining third keeps using them but more discreetly.
Maybe you have reason to think your students would comply. My fundamental advice is to craft a policy that is realistic. It doesn't do you any good to write a syllabus demanding things you can't possibly enforce and that students can easily ignore/circumvent. It's exactly like those professors who write in their syllabus that late assignments won't be accepted or unexcused absences will result in grade penalties. Nobody's ever met a professor who follows through on these things (cue response from MeFite: "But I do!"), so it induces an eye-roll to see them on a syllabus. It starts you off on the wrong foot.
I'd add that in the classrooms, courtrooms, and boardrooms where I have relevant recent experience, "vibrate" hasn't been an issue. Maybe your experience differs. I think fewer people are using vibrate now, probably partly because they're all checking their phones every fifteen minutes anyway. Phone use is an issue, and ringing occurs, but I can't recall the last time I've been disrupted by somebody's phone vibrating. It's been awhile. Generally I think the purpose is served by a simple policy requesting phones be silenced, with or without a short clarification, "Vibrate is not silent."
posted by cribcage at 6:28 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
Maybe you have reason to think your students would comply. My fundamental advice is to craft a policy that is realistic. It doesn't do you any good to write a syllabus demanding things you can't possibly enforce and that students can easily ignore/circumvent. It's exactly like those professors who write in their syllabus that late assignments won't be accepted or unexcused absences will result in grade penalties. Nobody's ever met a professor who follows through on these things (cue response from MeFite: "But I do!"), so it induces an eye-roll to see them on a syllabus. It starts you off on the wrong foot.
I'd add that in the classrooms, courtrooms, and boardrooms where I have relevant recent experience, "vibrate" hasn't been an issue. Maybe your experience differs. I think fewer people are using vibrate now, probably partly because they're all checking their phones every fifteen minutes anyway. Phone use is an issue, and ringing occurs, but I can't recall the last time I've been disrupted by somebody's phone vibrating. It's been awhile. Generally I think the purpose is served by a simple policy requesting phones be silenced, with or without a short clarification, "Vibrate is not silent."
posted by cribcage at 6:28 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'm so frustrated with this idea that college kids are at college for anything other than intensive learning. Social learning, professional soft skills, etc, not just book knowledge---but college is supposed to be intellectually demanding and requiring of some discipline.
Maybe I'm just jaded because my 40k student school is a stupid party school, but I think it's endemic to the overall environment at this time.
Just in case of emergency, I'd say "vibrate and in your pocket." If you have a student actually *talking* on the phone, or texting, etc, you can tell them to GTFO.
Back in my day *cough* my favorite professors would boot you out of class for reading the newspaper during the lecture.
posted by TomMelee at 6:29 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Maybe I'm just jaded because my 40k student school is a stupid party school, but I think it's endemic to the overall environment at this time.
Just in case of emergency, I'd say "vibrate and in your pocket." If you have a student actually *talking* on the phone, or texting, etc, you can tell them to GTFO.
Back in my day *cough* my favorite professors would boot you out of class for reading the newspaper during the lecture.
posted by TomMelee at 6:29 AM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think it'll be much easier to enforce if you clearly state "All electronic devices must be set on 'silent' mode" --- it's easier to enforce in the long run if you start with a clearly-defined strict policy that you MIGHT, upon request, grant an occasional specific-event exception to; than to start with a loose policy and try to add restrictions later.
You COULD require "devices must be turned off", but as others say, there are people who will ignore that, because they're special snowflakes; start with a realistic "all devices set to silent" and go from there.
posted by easily confused at 6:43 AM on August 16, 2013
You COULD require "devices must be turned off", but as others say, there are people who will ignore that, because they're special snowflakes; start with a realistic "all devices set to silent" and go from there.
posted by easily confused at 6:43 AM on August 16, 2013
You COULD require "devices must be turned off", but as others say, there are people who will ignore that, because they're special snowflakes; start with a realistic "all devices set to silent" and go from there.
Thus the "put away" instruction as well. I don't really care if a phone is vibrating inside a student's bag; if it's on the desk, that will always be a distraction, both for that student and those in nearby seats. The point about specifying "all electronic devices" is a good one, since it avoids arguments about what is and isn't a phone.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:55 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thus the "put away" instruction as well. I don't really care if a phone is vibrating inside a student's bag; if it's on the desk, that will always be a distraction, both for that student and those in nearby seats. The point about specifying "all electronic devices" is a good one, since it avoids arguments about what is and isn't a phone.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:55 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Students need to learn to go 50-75 minutes without being "connected," if only because workplaces are likely to demand that of them.
This is not even remotely true. I've worked in offices ranging from the ultra conservative suits required at all times to the ultra casual tech startup bare feet in the office, and the common denominator is that people are on their phones constantly. Even in important meetings when we ask for "laptops down," that simply means that everyone shifts their focus to their smartphone as necessary.
posted by telegraph at 7:08 AM on August 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
This is not even remotely true. I've worked in offices ranging from the ultra conservative suits required at all times to the ultra casual tech startup bare feet in the office, and the common denominator is that people are on their phones constantly. Even in important meetings when we ask for "laptops down," that simply means that everyone shifts their focus to their smartphone as necessary.
posted by telegraph at 7:08 AM on August 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
This is not even remotely true. I've worked in offices ranging from the ultra conservative suits required at all times to the ultra casual tech startup bare feet in the office, and the common denominator is that people are on their phones constantly. Even in important meetings when we ask for "laptops down," that simply means that everyone shifts their focus to their smartphone as necessary.
And people often kind of silently seethe about it, and I would not recommend it asbehavior for a junior employee. It's not a bad thing for students to learn to be away from their devices for a whole hour and focus intently on some other task. After all, a fairly significant driver for total tuition bills is students taking more than 4 years to graduate -- that's due to a lot of factors, but, if my institution is any guide, one of those factors is students needing to retake classes. Better focus would certainly reduce that problem. It's not the whole solution, but it's a step.
And for those arguing that students should be allowed to use their phones in class -- what benefit is there to that policy? The students and teacher in each classroom should be working together to maximize learning. Students who are on their phones aren't taking part in that. It's an issue of creating an environment that encourages learning.
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:24 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
And people often kind of silently seethe about it, and I would not recommend it asbehavior for a junior employee. It's not a bad thing for students to learn to be away from their devices for a whole hour and focus intently on some other task. After all, a fairly significant driver for total tuition bills is students taking more than 4 years to graduate -- that's due to a lot of factors, but, if my institution is any guide, one of those factors is students needing to retake classes. Better focus would certainly reduce that problem. It's not the whole solution, but it's a step.
And for those arguing that students should be allowed to use their phones in class -- what benefit is there to that policy? The students and teacher in each classroom should be working together to maximize learning. Students who are on their phones aren't taking part in that. It's an issue of creating an environment that encourages learning.
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:24 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
It's my experience as a non-academic that career academics tend to have imaginary ideas about what business offices and "the workplace" are like. I would gently suggest to the OP that you not concern yourself with that issue. It can serve to highlight your lack of experience outside academia, or even to create that impression where it might not actually be true. More to the point, it isn't necessary or relevant for your purpose. You don't want phones silenced because you're trying to teach students a lesson about life; you want them silenced because you're trying to teach. Ground your expectations in the present.
posted by cribcage at 7:32 AM on August 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by cribcage at 7:32 AM on August 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
My fundamental advice is to craft a policy that is realistic.
A policy without an enforcement mechanism isn't a policy, it's a request.
Students are adults; ask them to set their phones to silent, then give them a lecture they actually have to pay attention to. If a phone buzzes, cope.
posted by mhoye at 7:54 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
A policy without an enforcement mechanism isn't a policy, it's a request.
Students are adults; ask them to set their phones to silent, then give them a lecture they actually have to pay attention to. If a phone buzzes, cope.
posted by mhoye at 7:54 AM on August 16, 2013 [3 favorites]
Something else that is worth looking into if you are really serious about this. A lot of universities have "classroom behavior policies," and you can report students for violating established classroom behaviors. You might check with your Office of Student Affairs and see where your institution stands on this. I've never had cause to resort to this, but the threat of a note in the student's record adds a bit of teeth to the policy if you are inclined that way.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:26 AM on August 16, 2013
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:26 AM on August 16, 2013
I am a student at college. People using cell phones and browsing Facebook on their laptops (who will insist to the prof that they are taking notes, dude!) are SO distracting to me during lectures.
I wanted to chime in because a lot of the comments here seem to be approaching this from the assumption that the OP wants to limit *their* distraction while lecturing. It is for the rest of us!
I would prefer a hard line approach to this, if a student has an extenuating circumstance that they might need to get a phone call during this time, ask them to tell you ahead of time, and then have them take a seat at the back of the class so that they will not distract others. If someone wants to use a laptop to "take notes", ask them to sit to the edge and back of the classroom.
All other cell phone use should be prohibited.
It has nothing to do with what they might expect at a future job/etc. It is for common courtesy for students who want to learn, something that seems to be disappearing more and more each semester.
posted by effigy at 8:34 AM on August 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
I wanted to chime in because a lot of the comments here seem to be approaching this from the assumption that the OP wants to limit *their* distraction while lecturing. It is for the rest of us!
I would prefer a hard line approach to this, if a student has an extenuating circumstance that they might need to get a phone call during this time, ask them to tell you ahead of time, and then have them take a seat at the back of the class so that they will not distract others. If someone wants to use a laptop to "take notes", ask them to sit to the edge and back of the classroom.
All other cell phone use should be prohibited.
It has nothing to do with what they might expect at a future job/etc. It is for common courtesy for students who want to learn, something that seems to be disappearing more and more each semester.
posted by effigy at 8:34 AM on August 16, 2013 [8 favorites]
I once taught in a department whose members all had a policy that technologically-offensive students must bring doughnuts for the entire class the next class session. It worked great at that institution.
At my next institution, the students ignored my demands for pastry satisfaction, and I realized I was not willing to enforce it.
I think its a mistake to completely forbid laptops and cell phones in the classroom, because these devices provide a great opportunity for in-class informational literacy / research exercises. BUT that being said, discipline and etiquette are just as, if not more important. I wish I had an answer.
posted by reverend cuttle at 9:04 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
At my next institution, the students ignored my demands for pastry satisfaction, and I realized I was not willing to enforce it.
I think its a mistake to completely forbid laptops and cell phones in the classroom, because these devices provide a great opportunity for in-class informational literacy / research exercises. BUT that being said, discipline and etiquette are just as, if not more important. I wish I had an answer.
posted by reverend cuttle at 9:04 AM on August 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
I don't see why people think you shouldn't implement this rule. I see no problem with doing it and I think it's entirely reasonable. It is distracting when cell phones ring and buzz. I would put it in the syllabus and I would emphasize that you do not want to hear any ringing or buzzing of any kind during class -- people can go silent or turn it off, but you just don't want to hear it.
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:47 AM on August 16, 2013
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:47 AM on August 16, 2013
One other aspect not touched upon is the recording ability of phones. Back when I was in college (a long, long time ago, admittedly) there were professors who adamantly forbade recording their lectures. Especially if I was writing a book based on my lecture material, I would probably want to dissuade any possible recording, which would include phones.
posted by Thorzdad at 9:54 AM on August 16, 2013
posted by Thorzdad at 9:54 AM on August 16, 2013
Some schools have a text message alert for weather emergencies, school closings, etc., that would include an alert if there were a shooter on campus. The only way you'll get those messages is if phones are on. And I hope you're not paying attention to your own phone, if you're teaching.
This is what I was coming in to say. My university used cellphones as an automated alert system. I don't think you can or should be able to tell students they must turn them off entirely.
I agree with others that I found students browsing Facebook on their computers in front of me far more distracting than the occasional buzz or ring of a phone.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:14 AM on August 16, 2013
This is what I was coming in to say. My university used cellphones as an automated alert system. I don't think you can or should be able to tell students they must turn them off entirely.
I agree with others that I found students browsing Facebook on their computers in front of me far more distracting than the occasional buzz or ring of a phone.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:14 AM on August 16, 2013
Call them out by name. I have been in classes where a variety of methods were used and this is by far the most effective--there is nothing more powerful than public shaming. People will quickly become very attentive to silencing their phones when they come to your class. Double that for people who use their phones blatantly to look stuff up, etc.
But the laptops are a way bigger problem. The person behind the Facebook-user finds it nearly impossible to listen to you. I don't know a good solution to this other than walking around the class peeking at people's screens, though.
One caveat: please make sure you have no students in your class who have disability accommodations to use technology. They should tell you, but it's something to be aware of.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:31 AM on August 16, 2013
But the laptops are a way bigger problem. The person behind the Facebook-user finds it nearly impossible to listen to you. I don't know a good solution to this other than walking around the class peeking at people's screens, though.
One caveat: please make sure you have no students in your class who have disability accommodations to use technology. They should tell you, but it's something to be aware of.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:31 AM on August 16, 2013
please make sure you have no students in your class who have disability accommodations to use technology.
By which I mean, some students may need to record your lecture in order to learn anything and have approval to do so from your school. Not "don't have kids with disabilities in your class" which is kind of what I wrote.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:36 AM on August 16, 2013
By which I mean, some students may need to record your lecture in order to learn anything and have approval to do so from your school. Not "don't have kids with disabilities in your class" which is kind of what I wrote.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:36 AM on August 16, 2013
I went to college before cell phones were popular. When I was in grad school, they started becoming more common, and professors typically said "off or on silent... excuse yourself if you need to take a call." But then, you couldn't use Facebook (for example) on a cell phone back then, and I'd imagine that's even more disruptive to the class and can be done completely silently. The student's only harming him/herself if he/she wants to look at social media or websites during class, but it's a small enough class where you can learn students' names and call them out on it.
You mention job offers as an exception to policy.
Job offers in my field nearly always came in writing through postal mail (many years later, my current employer sent me my offer letter by e-mail in a PDF attachment - "congratulations, you got the job, your formal offer is attached"), and when prospective employers called me for interviews, it was ALWAYS a first call to set up a convenient time for the interview (and if I wasn't in my dorm room to answer the call -- they left a message and I returned the call). Obviously a convenient time for the interview would NOT be during class time.
Therefore, I don't think calls from employers are appropriate to take during class. There are more valid exceptions to the no cell phone policy -- see other MeFites' responses above.
posted by tckma at 10:55 AM on August 16, 2013
You mention job offers as an exception to policy.
Job offers in my field nearly always came in writing through postal mail (many years later, my current employer sent me my offer letter by e-mail in a PDF attachment - "congratulations, you got the job, your formal offer is attached"), and when prospective employers called me for interviews, it was ALWAYS a first call to set up a convenient time for the interview (and if I wasn't in my dorm room to answer the call -- they left a message and I returned the call). Obviously a convenient time for the interview would NOT be during class time.
Therefore, I don't think calls from employers are appropriate to take during class. There are more valid exceptions to the no cell phone policy -- see other MeFites' responses above.
posted by tckma at 10:55 AM on August 16, 2013
Leaving aside the question of whether or not such a policy is compatible with your campus emergency warning system, demanding that phones be turned off completely strikes me as an unreasonable request. There are times when people really must be reachable, and forcing your students to choose between breaking your rules and skipping class is a bad idea.
If you made the same request in a colloquium, you colleagues would outright refuse. (If they're anything like mine, teaching 50% of them to switch to vibrate mode would count as a great success.) Expecting students to behave differently isn't reasonable, and there's no quicker way to discredit yourself than to make unreasonable and unenforceable policies that will be ignored. Frankly, were I a student in such a class, I'd take a formal rule that cellphones must be shut off as a warning sign that the professor may have limited respect for their students and unrealistic expectations.
A brief, sincere explanation at the start of the first few classes will do exactly as much good as a formal rule, and there's a good chance most of your student's will wind up wanting to accommodate you rather than resenting you and looking for loop-holes or sneaking phone access. Add a stern discussion with repeat offenders, and you'll have as few phone interruptions as one can possibly achieve. Which, unfortunately, isn't none.
Or, with more snark: the modern world sometimes buzzes during lectures. It sucks. Get used to it, 'cause it's here to stay. (At least until the implants become cheap enough for students to buy.) As a trade-off for all the great things associated with everyone having networked computers their pockets, it's a pretty good deal.
posted by eotvos at 11:29 AM on August 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
If you made the same request in a colloquium, you colleagues would outright refuse. (If they're anything like mine, teaching 50% of them to switch to vibrate mode would count as a great success.) Expecting students to behave differently isn't reasonable, and there's no quicker way to discredit yourself than to make unreasonable and unenforceable policies that will be ignored. Frankly, were I a student in such a class, I'd take a formal rule that cellphones must be shut off as a warning sign that the professor may have limited respect for their students and unrealistic expectations.
A brief, sincere explanation at the start of the first few classes will do exactly as much good as a formal rule, and there's a good chance most of your student's will wind up wanting to accommodate you rather than resenting you and looking for loop-holes or sneaking phone access. Add a stern discussion with repeat offenders, and you'll have as few phone interruptions as one can possibly achieve. Which, unfortunately, isn't none.
Or, with more snark: the modern world sometimes buzzes during lectures. It sucks. Get used to it, 'cause it's here to stay. (At least until the implants become cheap enough for students to buy.) As a trade-off for all the great things associated with everyone having networked computers their pockets, it's a pretty good deal.
posted by eotvos at 11:29 AM on August 16, 2013 [4 favorites]
I was a student. If my professor had a policy like this, I would drop the class and complain--loudly--to every single person above that professor about the policy. I was a single parent and my phone was the sole reason I could take classes on campus. I've had more than one daycare with the policy of three missed phone calls (in a day) and you're out--not being available by phone could literally make me lose my childcare, which would have meant that I'd have to drop out of school. I've known other people who had their latchkey kids text them when the kids got home.
This is a douche move, one that puts people who have responsibilities outside of class at a serious disadvantage. You might end up with some people playing on Facebook, but, really, who cares? They're not hurting anyone except (maybe) themselves. If you're worried about distraction, I'd argue that it's a really important modern life skill to be able to ignore other people using electronics in the periphery of your vision.
posted by MeghanC at 11:49 AM on August 16, 2013 [6 favorites]
This is a douche move, one that puts people who have responsibilities outside of class at a serious disadvantage. You might end up with some people playing on Facebook, but, really, who cares? They're not hurting anyone except (maybe) themselves. If you're worried about distraction, I'd argue that it's a really important modern life skill to be able to ignore other people using electronics in the periphery of your vision.
posted by MeghanC at 11:49 AM on August 16, 2013 [6 favorites]
Announce that whenever someone's cell phone rings, you will, in a very quiet voice, give them some critical information that is needed on the exam/assignment. The best classroom conduct policy is one in which students police the situation for you and the student looks like the bad guy, not you, for demonstrating exactly why distractions in the classroom are a problem to learning.
posted by nanook at 11:58 AM on August 16, 2013
posted by nanook at 11:58 AM on August 16, 2013
really disruptive buzzing sounds
Personally, unless the phone is against something that causes it to make an exceptionally loud noise, I can barely hear phones on vibrate mode that are inside of someone's bag.
Maybe the students need to be told how to put their phone in a bag so that it won't be against snack food packaging and the like that would cause it to make a loud noise.
When I've heard people's phones ring or buzz loudly in class, the person who's device it is tends to look embarrassed, and this naturally encourages others to avoid putting themselves into this embarrassing situation.
You don't really know what everyone's situation is, and requiring all phones to be off entirely may be extremely burdensome to particular students, as MeghanC brought up. Not everyone is able to know that an important call or text is going to be coming at that particular lecture. It's appropriate to expect people to leave the room if they must take a call.
On 2), landlines don't receive text messages from emergency alert systems.
posted by yohko at 1:00 PM on August 16, 2013
Personally, unless the phone is against something that causes it to make an exceptionally loud noise, I can barely hear phones on vibrate mode that are inside of someone's bag.
Maybe the students need to be told how to put their phone in a bag so that it won't be against snack food packaging and the like that would cause it to make a loud noise.
When I've heard people's phones ring or buzz loudly in class, the person who's device it is tends to look embarrassed, and this naturally encourages others to avoid putting themselves into this embarrassing situation.
You don't really know what everyone's situation is, and requiring all phones to be off entirely may be extremely burdensome to particular students, as MeghanC brought up. Not everyone is able to know that an important call or text is going to be coming at that particular lecture. It's appropriate to expect people to leave the room if they must take a call.
On 2), landlines don't receive text messages from emergency alert systems.
posted by yohko at 1:00 PM on August 16, 2013
I am an adult undergrad student, old enough to remember a time before phones and laptops existed, and I would not be pleased with a policy that 100% forbids phones (or laptops and ipads). It's just archaic. Give your students guidelines about class disruptions of any sort (side conversations, sound coming from laptops or phones, listening to headphones, friends coming to classes... whatever is a common problem at your campus). And then treat your students like adults and expect them to be adults about interpreting it. There will be students who have jobs or kids or others that they are responsible for who need to be able to get unexpected news. If they can't have this freedom, they can't focus on your class without worrying about what they might be missing!
posted by Secretariat at 3:37 PM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Secretariat at 3:37 PM on August 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm firmly against this policy. I think it's unreasonable. There are so many reasons why a student might need their phone on. In addition, I think the time and energy wasted on trying to enforce this policy would be far greater than the short amount of distraction given by a ringing phone. As other people have said, cell phones are a part of our modern life now.
posted by daybeforetheday at 1:37 PM on August 18, 2013
posted by daybeforetheday at 1:37 PM on August 18, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by katrielalex at 2:50 AM on August 16, 2013 [8 favorites]