Hey guys and girls,
In another class the topic of cellphones in class came up. I don't know how bad it is but if it is anything like university I'm sure everybody is bringing theirs to class. We were talking about some ways to deal with the issue and it seemed like the best idea was just to establish rules during the first week of class. To make these rules it would be best to do so as a class but then I'm sure some kids will not be very accommodating to the idea of no cell phones in class. Just wondering if anyone has already dealt with this type of situation? I feel its important for us to establish what our expectations towards cell phones are in class prior to our practicums.
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I think most schools will have a policy towards cell phones.I would say for our practicum we would adapt the rules already in place. Once you have your own classroom there are more options but it is a tough issue.I would say they can have them but obviously no ringer. Sadly we are dependent on these and how often do we use our cell phones in class?I personally think let them have it and if your lesson is engaging they will be involved if it is not they will be texting or thinking about texting anyways.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that if I see a cell phone being used in class, I would take it away for the rest of the class and they can get it when the class is over. When students are in class they should be focused and listening, taking notes in class, not texting people. We create a learning environment for students and they shouldn't in situations when they are not learning. There is break for using your phone after class.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that a school wide policy about cell phones is necessary to help student's kick the habit while in class. Educating students about respectful cell phone usage is a great opportunity to open a dialogue about the pro's and con's of technology and a great teaching opportunity. There definitely needs to be support from the school administration in setting rules and consequences for inappropriate cell phone use. If all teachers aren't on board then it is a much bigger struggle for the teachers that are trying to enforce rules.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would be hesitant to take a cell phone away from a student for fear or them, or myself forgetting to give it back at the end of class for two reasons. The first being a fear of it being stolen or lost while it was in my care, placing me in the predicament of being responsible for that loss. The second being that some parents give their child cellphones in case of emergencies. Should an emergency occur, and that child was not able to get help, how liable am I as a teacher that they were not in possession of their phone at the time? It seems unlikely, but it worries me enough to make me think twice.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to my in class policy on them, I would probably have a rule that all ringers should be off and they should be away for the class, with some light consequences laid out before hand should they be a distraction in class.
i agree and disagree with you guys however we tend to see young people with technology and dismiss it as a frivolous distraction. It is a social networking collaborative tool. We need to bring them into the process and use their strengths. Like any tool, there are times to use it and times not to. With this being said i also believe that there are certain times which students can use their cells and certain times when they cannot use them. ie. during tests
ReplyDeleteI'm going to basically take the pro-cell phone stance on this one. Cell phones aren't just phones anymore. For all I know a student is using their phone to keep track of assignments, take notes, a calculator and other legitimate uses I probably can't even think of.
ReplyDeleteI obviously want the ringer off and expect them to not be talking on it in my class though.
As Allen touched on in class last week, some students can multitask using their phone and participating in class at the same time. If there were issues of it being a complete distraction, to the student and others I would deal with it on a case by case basis.