Naughty unruly students who use cell phones in class

[WarpGirl]

the world actually.

[Alelou]

Eh, to tell you the truth overall I don't find most of these students disrespectful. A little too lazy, a little too passive, certainly prone to learned helplessness, but also basically nice, mostly courteous, and capable of learning and growing. I'm really only complaining about the extreme cases, and that kid definitely is one. The fact that his research paper is about bipolar disorder is probably a clue.

However, one of my adjunct colleagues who used to teach in the San Diego area, mostly to immigrants, thinks our students are just awful -- lazy and arrogant and rude.

I guess I have a high tolerance. Or maybe if you grow up yourself among people who are lazy, arrogant and rude, you don't see it. It's just your culture.

Re the American educational system, it is rather odd compared to the much-more focused version in Europe. American colonists started out with the idea of a general liberal arts education -- the kind of thing a minister or a gentleman of property would need -- and I guess that still shapes the way we do college, with that idea of building a foundation before you specialize. Many students don't really discover what they want to do until they get to college. That's just the way it is here. It may be a product of not having the rigorous testing systems Europe has, or the reality that we mostly pay our own way to college rather than having it funded by our governments. I'm sure there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides, but I'm glad I didn't have to decide until I got to college. Mostly because I'd probably be a historian now, with even bleaker employment prospects.

[WarpGirl]

I have to say that as a society Americans take so many things for granted, and yeah it comes out in attitudes of the young. I was shell-shocked when I first went to PEI Canada, and you know what it taught me a vaulable lesson. That it isn't a civilizes western world arrogence. It's a specific arrogence unique to the US. Because God knows every country has it's own claim to arrogence avout something. It's typical but not always a good thing. I learned to try and have an open perspective as much as my puny brain allows. Still I think cell phones in class are just rude.

[enterprikayak]

It does suck. In fact the last time I saw my doctor that actually deals with my CP itself. He said it's a majorly growing problem for people with CP in my generation. We're known as the inbetween people. People who came after the midevil tourture like treatments, but before the truly amazing breakthroughs because we're the generation that tested early versions of those breakthroughs. Unfortunately, people in my group have a hell of a lot of complications now. So the doctors bang their heads together at conventions kicking themselves for putting us through what ten years later were obvious mistakes. Progress is tricky. Thanks for the link though.

Have you ever read this book?

It is absolutely awesome, and is written by the mother of a girl with CP in the 40's.

[WarpGirl]

I think I did when I was about 7 or 8 WOW I didn't even know it was still in print! THANK YOU so much

[Alelou]

I remember reading that when I was a kid.

[WarpGirl]

It was a great book. My mother wants me to write one where a character has CP I won't do it. Too personal. Drives her NUTS though.

[JadziaKathryn]

Mostly because I'd probably be a historian now, with even bleaker employment prospects.

*sigh*

[Alelou]

Unless, of course, I'm as brilliant as JK and want to spend my life teaching history.

[WarpGirl]

Wonderful save!

[JadziaKathryn]

It's okay, I know it's not the major of choice for an easy job search. Or big paychecks. Really, I'm graduating in May (as my undergrad roommate said, "God willing and the creek don't rise") and I think next semester job search panic will start to set in.

[Grrr]

You don't eat or drink in class because the teacher can't, and your classmates don't. It's rude to eat in front of people that can't or don't have anything to eat. Without asking permission, at least. And offering to share.


The Star Trek Enterprise dub is hilarious because Trip and T'Pol, as officers, talk in the formal way and address themselves in that way, even in "Harbinger." I mean, after the sex, in the breakfast scene, they are talking formally. During the scene I was thinking: "Trip, you have just had sex with her, I think you can address her as 'tú'."

I don't see why a teacher can't bring something to class to drink and occasionally take a sip during a lecture. Nothing is preventing the other students from bringing something either. Food I have a harder time seeing mainly because it would be hard to eat and take notes at the same time.

Well Vulcans are supposed to be very formal. I took two years of Spanish in high school (over 20 years ago) and we learned it with the formal. Of course the only things I can remember now are the words for book and library. I doubt I could spell them though.

Back when I was in college, cell phones were very rare. They were also very expensive so if someone had one it was for emergencies only. One person did have a pager but she was also a midwife.

I think Distracted has the best idea so far. Just have them keep them on the belt or in their bags. If someone thinks they have a reason for having their phone out, they can talk to you and you can decide.

Grrr

[Alelou]

[I think Distracted has the best idea so far. Just have them keep them on the belt or in their bags. If someone thinks they have a reason for having their phone out, they can talk to you and you can decide.

Here's what my Syllabus already says:

ETIQUETTE
• Arrive on time and avoid breaks.
• Turn off cell phones and other devices. No texting; no picture-taking; no devices on the desk.
• No headphones in lab or classroom.
• Use appropriate screensaver in the computer lab.
• Bring your own classroom supplies. I do not carry extra.
• Respect opinions that differ from your own.
• Respect yourself by working hard, doing your best, and sharing your insights with the rest of us.

Plus I tell them if they're expecting an important phone call, to just let me know ahead of time. I also tell them MY cell phone is on, just in case we get some sort of campus alert (you know, your basic homicidal maniac on campus).

Since my policy didn't work to my satisfaction this semester, I think I'll just attach a grade to it. Daily participation grades for 1) not having a cell phone I can see, 2) having textbooks, paper, pens, etc., and 3) participating. This is also a plus for some students who struggle with the writing but at least make the basic effort that a lot of other students don't.

[Aquarius]

I'm with Alelou here. I have a senior-level undergrad class that I'm taking (have to do some extra work to get graduate credit, but the history department is down professors so they let us do this for one or two classes - frankly I learn more in this class anyway) and it's appalling how many people are utilizing technology for other means than learning. One girl has been asked three times this semester to put her MP3 player/phone playing music (who can tell them apart?) away. She had headphones in and everything! And then there are the people who have laptops and figure the professor can't see so they're going to do whatever they want. Lots of Facebook, games, and sometimes shopping on eBay. There are, however, some who are legitimately typing away lecture notes. It's crazy. I myself take notes on college-ruled paper with a Pilot G2 pen. It's a good old-fashioned way that still works well. My cell is on vibrate but it's in my bag so I don't know if I get anything until after class.

I see a lot of that, too, especially in my bigger lecture hall classes. Sure, it can't be helping their grades, but I sort of figure that's their problem.

Personally, I just don't understand the preoccupation some people have with what other people are doing, especially when the only ones they're hurting are themselves. (The chicks who sit behind me are another story with their incessant chattering, and I can't imagine I'm the only one annoyed by them.)

As for the point someone made earlier about it being rude to eat or drink in class because the teacher can't, I beg to differ: instructors often bring coffee and sodas and bottled water to class. Personally, I'm not going to begrudge anyone doing something about being hungry or thirsty in class, again as long as they're not bothering anyone. As for the instructor deserving 100% of my attention, in a perfect world you're right, but some things just can't be helped, especially if you're in a stage of your life where maybe you've got kids or a job or an ill family member that demands your immediate attention when something happens, whether you're in class or not. Generally, I try to ignore my phone (Harrison Ford said it best about technology when he said "Nobody needs you as much as they THINK they do!") but as Mr. Boo's condition has declined, you better believe I want to know about it if something happens.

You can always see me with a Diet Pepsi in class. I've been known to eat the occasional granola bar (quietly, without the wrapper) or donut. (Obviously not in the computer lab, because it's against the rules in there because of electronic equipment.) I look at the phone to check the time or to see if the text I just got is actually important. I do my best to keep these activities confined to my own personal space, and I'm getting As, so I guess if anyone was bothered by it for the sheer fact that I'm doing it (versus, say, something tangible like a noise complaint, or I'm elbowing them in the ribs every time I grab for my phone, or something), I might suggest that they worry more about themselves than about what I'm doing.

[honeybee]

I always teach with coffee or tea or water or something. It just helps me.

I also don't mind if students have a drink. My students rarely eat in class - but I have had a couple who bring food to the 1pm section. They clear it with me first, though. It's usually because they only have a ten minute break for lunch. I would rather have them fueled up than keeling over with hunger.