next »

[categorical]

This article tries to objectify the distraction of laptops and other devices in class:


What They are Really Typing

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/05/18/professors_spy_on_students_to_see_how_they_are_using_laptops_in_class

[mystictechgal]

As I read through the last page of this thread, this

I have to say that I don't know how I'd handle the issue of electronic devices if I taught very large classes. 

is what I'm thinking.

If Snowy in the seventeenth row of 30 rows is texting, eh, that's Snowy's choice.

Texting on a cell phone is one thing. I find it annoying, but I can deal with the annoyance. Laptops are a whole other matter, and I call them on that. Because at that point, there are usually half a dozen people who are distracted by it.

But laptops annoy me anyway. Not all laptops. Some students are really good about it. They'll type quietly, and keep the screen lowered so it doesn't distract the people behind them. But then there are others who just clickity clack away, loud as can be, without any regard for the people around them.

I had a student last term who did this while the class was watching a film. So in addition to having a big bright screen between them and the movie screen, the people around him also had to try to filter out the clickety clack of his typing. I had to ask this kid twice to put it away and hand write his notes. He seemed to think his own convenience trumped everyone else's ability to focus on the film.

And maybe that's it: maybe it's the lack of awareness of the people around them that annoys me the most.

The bright screen, aside (one reason I love my iPad--the screen is low enough that it's not casting a bunch of light at my classmates when I'm taking notes in a dim room), given the lack of actual technological skill displayed by these supposedly technology literate young adults (my a$$), it's quite possible that he doesn't know that he can turn off the key-click.

Not saying that you should, but if the laptop is being used for note taking, not random surfing, and if it otherwise would be okay with you, you might want to point out that the noise is the real problem, and that it can easily be eliminated by changing one toggle switch in the keyboard settings tab. It is entirely possible that the student has absolutely no clue that that is a customizable option.

[polly_mer]

Not saying that you should, but if the laptop is being used for note taking, not random surfing, and if it otherwise would be okay with you, you might want to point out that the noise is the real problem, and that it can easily be eliminated by changing one toggle switch in the keyboard settings tab. It is entirely possible that the student has absolutely no clue that that is a customizable option.

This is true for fancy machines without mechanical parts.  This is not necessarily true for an actual mechanical keyboard <Polly writes on her four-year-old machine as her keys clack away and the U button sticks>.

I think Grassy nails half of my primary objection to most electronic doodads for the sake of electronic doodads in the classroom:

And maybe that's it: maybe it's the lack of awareness of the people around them that annoys me the most.

The other half shows up in the intrapersonal learning style default of "anything that isn't obviously important to me, me, me this second should be ignored" instead of a default of paying attention to later decide what is important, possibly important, or minor detail after all the data has been collected.  If I spent the last twenty minutes answering that question and you were in the room with no other assigned task, then why should I answer the question again?  Big lack of awareness problem there.

[changinggears]

Since gadgets are so much a part of our current society and are slowly becoming an integral aspect of the 21st century workplace, maybe at some point we should educate our students about the proper and respectful use of them.  I always tell my students that the college classroom is sort of like informal practice for the workplace; they should be observing and learning acceptable professional behaviors (like being on time, turning work in by a deadline).  So, I often explain to students why they shouldn't be late and why I have absolute deadlines for work.  They always appreciate someone explaining to them why they have to do the things they're asked to do and once they understand those reasons, I see almost a seachange in student behavior.  I think the proper use of tech gagdets is going to go on my list of things to explain to them.  I've been at conferences where someone typed away noisily on a laptop.  I've been to a professional lecture where other academics texted (one even watched a video on their iPhone; talk about distracting!).  I always wonder why they don't know that their behavior is inappropriate and then I realize that it's probably because no one ever told them it was (and not everyone has the empathy to realize when their behavior could be disruptive or disrespectful to others). 

[barred_owl]

But...but...if they turn off their devices, won't they save the batteries and, therefore, not need your SPAM???

[barred_owl]

Double-post, I know, but the preceding reply was to a spam post that--hopefully--will be removed by the moderators shortly.

Meanwhile...

I've decided to put a clause in my syllabus that directly addresses the issue of electronic devices in the classroom.  The clause distinguishes between personal use of such devices (e.g., for texting or updating a Facebook page) during class and use of the device for instructional purposes, which are primarily confined to web browsing/searching for course-related information upon my instruction to do so.  I discovered last academic year that "smart" phones with web-browsing capability came in handy in at least one of my classes, so I'm tentatively embracing that technology, with the caveat that phones are not to be used for anything other than classroom activities (i.e., must be "off" unless I approve their activation to complete a classroom activity).

[systeme_d_]

I've been meaning to post this.  Thanks for bumping the thread, Barred_Owl, and serving as a reminder.

The Communications Department at my former university has implemented this new policy in all classes.  The policy, having been approved by the university's attorneys, is catching on quickly, and many other departments (and individual instructors) are also implementing it.  I thought it would be a good idea to share it here, especially since it contains "vetted" language.

Policy on the Use of Personal Technology in the Classroom

Students may not use personal technology devices in the classroom without the permission of the instructor. Such devices include mobile email devices, smartphones, mobile phones, iPODs, iPads, laptops and similar technologies. These items may be brought to class, but they may be taken out and used by students only with the instructor's specific direction to do so and for purposes of achieving the learning objectives of the course. Notes may be taken using paper and pen/pencil, and students may type (word-process) notes outside of class time if they wish to do so. All mobile phones must be turned off during class. Any student who fails to follow these guidelines will be asked to leave class. Exceptions will be made in the case of students who need personal technology devices in order to learn course content due to documented disabilities (e.g.: visual or auditory disabilities).

[barred_owl]

Thanks for sharing that, systeme_d_.  It's great that your former uni. had an institution-wide policy about electronic devices--we can only dream of such things where I am now.  There are days when I feel like I'm going out on a limb by putting such ideas into my syllabi.

Question, though (to systeme_d_ and anyone else who chooses to respond):  Does your former university (or you, personally) make exceptions for students who claim an outstanding need to have their phones on 'vibrate,' at least?  I had two EMT/paramedics, one expectant father, and one landlord-with-pesky-hyperactive-tenants last year, and allowed them to keep their phones on 'vibrate,' just in case something should come up.  The landlord one was a bit sketchy--hell's bells, what landlord ever responds immediately to a tenant's concern??--but she was a good student otherwise, and her phone never rang anyway. 

FWIW, I made exceptions for those students, but the two students I busted for violation of the informal policy were neither landlords, EMTs, nor expectant fathers.

Also, I know that such things have been discussed elsewhere in the Fora, but this particular technology (smart phones, small handheld devices) is evolving so rapidly, I think it's worthwhile to keep the discussion going.  Next thing you know, we'll have students with micro-chip implants behind their ears wired directly to their brains and we'll never know whether or not they're accessing Wikipedia during class time!

[systeme_d_]

Barred_Owl, I have to say that if I were writing the policy, I would have allowed exceptions for students who were verifiably "on call."  And I'd like to reiterate that the policy above is one department's policy, although it is becoming popular university-wide.

I should also note that my former university did not serve a diverse population at all.  Out of a population of over 10K undergrads, I would estimate the number of non-traditional students at well under 100.

[polly_mer]

Barred_Owl, I have to say that if I were writing the policy, I would have allowed exceptions for students who were verifiably "on call." 

In my evolving syllabus, I've put that people who have a need can have their phones on vibrate, but that all calls will be taken out of the classroom and I expect that the student will be leaving class that day to deal with the emergency if the call is taken.

So far, I haven't had any problems with that.  I don't want to have to play "Teacher, may I?" to decide whose excuse is good enough.  If it's important enough to risk being dismissed for the day for missing the instructions (a different part of the syllabus about attendance), then it's probably important enough to take the call.

I've got small enough classes with weasel words in my syllabus (may, could, up to and including) that I make the judgment call at the time of the offense.  The student who hasn't been doing bupkis gets no benefit of the doubt.  The good student who comes back in the room with tears saying, "Grandpa is gone.  Now, how about this lab?", can get a special personalized repeat of the instructions before rejoining the group.

[clean]

I copied and pasted this into my syllabus today.  I added something about a letter grade deduction.

[odetteism]

I answer their phones when they ring.

Seriously. I have a section in the syllabus discussing the fact that this time is class time. Any call can most likely wait until the end of class. And if they don't turn off their phones, and the phones ring during class, I get to answer that phone.

Hilariously, it is almost always someone's mother calling. Let me tell you, moms love to string this situation along.

To be fair, I tell them that if I forget to turn off my phone, they get to answer it. It happened once. I forgot, and the phone rang. My friend on the other end helped humiliate me. ha.

And with texting, I remind them the obvious point: "I can see you. I'm standing right here. I can see you texting under the table. No texting in class or you get to leave for the day." No one ever breaks the texting rule.

I have a problem with a telephone in class once in each class. Then, it never happens again.

As for laptops, that's more difficult. But, if you're lucky enough to have a smart classroom, you might have the option of putting the student's laptop up on the main screen in the front. Then, you can say things like, "Wow! That's a great surfing video! Let's discuss how it relates to Chaucer!"

It is important to do these things with a smile. There's no sense in being snotty. Honestly, even the offender will laugh. Plus, usually, it never happens again.