This Q&A was adapted with permission from the book Chalk Talk: E-advice from Jonas Chalk, Legendary College Teacher, edited by Donna M. Qualters and Miriam Rosalyn Diamond –
Question
Dear Jonas,
My, how things have changed. It seems like it wasn’t that long ago when students came to class with a notebook and a pen or pencil. Now they bring an electronics store! They all have cell phones, laptops, programmable calculators and other small electronic devices. Someone told me that there are calculators that allow students to send information to each other and many laptops are wireless and so students can be on the internet anywhere including in my class. I am not sure of the best way to handle this. How do I monitor what the students are doing to make sure it is related to the class? Do I set policies, like leave all electronics at the door? Just wondering how you would suggest I approach this issue.
Signed: Ding a Ling
Answer
Dear Ding a Ling,
It is a brave new world! As it is with so many teaching and learning issues, there are many ways to handle this, depending on the class and your style. For example, with cell phones, there are a number of approaches that I have heard about or tried. One method is to remind the class to turn off their phones as you start class, similar to what they do at the theatre as a play begins. If a phone rings, you can also handle it in a variety of ways, sometimes a short stare gets the point across, or a comment like, “oh, that should remind us all to turn off our phones”, or maybe something more direct, such as “please let that be the last phone I hear ringing”. Your reaction depends on your style and what the students do when the phone rings. Most times, I find they are embarrassed and turn it off quickly, but I would handle things quite differently if they had to “take this call”.
Laptops in the classroom are a more complex situation. I know that at meetings where I might be responsible for keeping records, I often bring my laptop as an efficient way to write and send out minutes. So it is understandable that students might want to take notes on their own computer. The difficulty arises when you either suspect or are sure that they are not taking notes, but playing games, or surfing the web. One approach is not to worry about it. They are responsible for the material in that class, and so it is their choice not to be paying attention. If class is interactive or engaging, the students may be less tempted to keep busy elsewhere, and if there is group work, the group would most likely not allow them to disengage from their commitment. Another approach is to set a policy and explain it to the class or in your syllabus.
In a discussion-type class, or one that requires little note-taking, you could set the policy at the beginning of the semester for no laptops (unless required for a disability, this can be handled on a case-by-case basis), explaining to the students that you need their attention and participation. If you provide notes, that would be another reason for this policy. In one class that is a seminar class with no exams, I have started the class by stating that I know there is not a need to take notes, and all laptops must be put away. After that, I did not see them again.
If on the other hand, you feel it would be helpful for the students to take notes on their laptops, let them know they are allowed, but you will be vigilant so that it does not become a distraction to their neighbors, which would cause you to assume they were not taking notes. It is a difficult situation if they claim they are using the laptop for classwork, but you suspect otherwise. If you walk around during class, you could always check on those students periodically to discourage any shenanigans. It is reasonable to explain that distractions to others or to the professor detract from the class quality in general even if the students feel that they are entitled to do what they choose with their computers.
Programmable calculators are the norm and are required for engineering students. Calculators or devices that transmit wireless information are certainly not required in any curriculum course and can be problematic. If you suspect that there is cheating through use of these devices, then research which models have these functions (The ACT exam administrators maintain a useful website listing calculators that are disallowed for their exams: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/calculator.html (link is external)). Set a policy prohibiting use of wireless-capable calculators, or require the students to put duct tape over the infrared ports. It sounds like we all need to be on the lookout during this wireless age. During exams, I am sure you monitor your class closely. I often write several versions of the exam that are similar and distribute those, so that if students are cheating, I can easily detect it. This requires more work upfront, but can pay off; usually one incident caught spreads the word, and prevents future academic dishonesty. But that is another topic. Maybe if enough students have these devices with transmission capabilities, you could ask the students to bring them to class and have groups “talk” to each other, incorporating the topic into one class activity. Then prohibit them from other classes, to prevent them from becoming a distraction or temptation.
I must confess, I love my electronic gear, but we all must use it properly and in the right venues. Therefore, through our syllabus and our modeling, we can also let our students know and educate them in what are appropriate ways to use or not use these new “toys”.
Good luck,
Jonas
Quick Tip
As I am walking into class, I often turn off my own phone quite conspicuously, which is contagious.
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This content was adapted with permission from the book Chalk Talk: E-advice from Jonas Chalk, Legendary College Teacher, edited by Donna M. Qualters and Miriam Rosalyn Diamond.
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