What are your thoughts on students cell-phone usage in the classroom?

United States
May 23, 2010 5:47pm CST
I want to open up a honest discussion on cell-phone usage in the classroom and what I should do to combat the constant texting of my students. I am a instructor at a university and while I only have 30 students per class it is impossible to keep their attention without them reaching for their cell-phone. Should I get them to put their phone on the table when they walk in? Throw them to the ground (i.e. some youtube videos), or what? Help me out.
14 responses
@donsky14 (5947)
• Philippines
23 May 10
Well if you really want them to focus on your lecture, then like what you mentioned, try collecting their cellphones when they walk-in class.
@tap0991 (2766)
• United States
23 May 10
this 9 out 10 is not allowed any where.
@mailgul (22)
• India
24 May 10
University students are mature enough to understand and take good decision.As a instructor i believe you have the capability to make them understand what will be the effects of not being attentive in the class.if even after that they dont stop the usage of mobiles ask them to leave the class so that other students are not disturbed.
@don_naces (464)
• Philippines
24 May 10
As much as possible, usage of cellphone inside the classroom must be strictly prohibited. It will just disturb your students. Have your students place their cellphone in front so that they cannot use it.
• India
24 May 10
[b]Well throwing Students Cell Phones is not a Correct or Good Way for Solving this Problem.Infact it will have more adverse effect on the Students on You.Yes I Agree you its Difficult with such numbers of Students in a Class to Pay Attention on each one of them but by making a free Atmosphere with them is a better and Convenient way to express your Thoughts or Feelings to the Young Ones.They will surely able to realize that Class Attention is more needed than Cell Text Messaging."Be Cool you will feel Cool" thats my Mantras for any Problem suggesting to you also my Friend. Signing Off..[/b]
@marashi (89)
• India
24 May 10
it should be completely banned,this is my notion.
• India
24 May 10
one cannot behold a student s attention just by parting him from his cell phone..... obviously if the prime aim is to make the student concentrate on the studies then the only possible solution i guess is to make the studies more interesting for the student.... i myself am a college student and i can t help texting during the lectures.....but only during the boring ones.... i never text during my fav professor's lectures
• Philippines
24 May 10
cell phone usage in the classroom is a common but for me most annoying issue a teacher could ever encounter.. students' attention is needed for them to understand their lessons but it seems that they are not that interested with the lesson. schools should have policies about this if they don't want to produce graduates of low quality. students should also be guided on what to prioritize. I think the teacher has the right to at least confiscate cellphones being used during class hours...students should understand that their parents are paying much for their education so they should at least do their part.
• United States
24 May 10
Well, you have to mention in the syllabus that cellphone use is not allowed in the class. Or simply say that it must be kept turned off. On first day, mention it in the class also. Be strict. Tell them that if you see anyone using cellphone during lecture you will have to ask the person to leave. My professors always do it and it works.
@tap0991 (2766)
• United States
23 May 10
one of my professors told us that he didnt allow them and if he saw you using it he would stop class and tell you to leave and well most people just were sneaky. You arent going to stop people from texting. They know if they can get in trouble for it to hide it. If you want to get people to stop texting why not get them interested? try to up class participation be engaging. It worked for a few of my professors.
• United States
24 May 10
I think that the cell phones should be banded from the classroom,how are students suppose to learn if they are being distracted from their sschoolwork, Maybe they should have their cell phone turn off at the beginning of class.the idea of putting their cellphone on the desk sounds good but they also need to be turnoff as well. Maybe that would help some. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@joan2010 (45)
• China
24 May 10
For the sake of the students ,there should be policy about restricting cell-phone usege in the classroom.On the other hand try your best to make your lecture more interesting to attract the students'attention.Happy my lotting.
@Jack0113 (79)
• China
24 May 10
i don't think it's a good idea that gathering students' cellphone. if your lecture is attractive and interesting, your student will respect you and obey your rules inside classroom. so try to do good at your lecture, good luck!
@Jaluke (676)
• United States
23 May 10
Well, as long as they aren't making noise I don't see an issue with it honestly. The way I see it is that they are students at a university now. This is an education they are paying for, not one that they have to have. If they do poorly in class because they aren't paying attention it's their own fault and it is their own money wasted. Perhaps if you incorporate more stuff in your lectures that isn't necessarily in the book, or isn't easily found in the book but that will be on the test, they'll have even more incentive to pay attention. They are adults now and should be responsible enough to make their own decisions on whether they are going to be attentively learning or not. If they chose not to their own grades will suffer and it's their own money.
@reetu3 (262)
• India
24 May 10
ya....definetly cell phone should not be allowed inside class rooms...once i saw a mobile collection center outside a temple..where you can deposit ur mobile and can take back when you return..i think cell phone should be collected before entering class rooms...you can collect cell phones on silent mode and give them back when class is over...