Should teachers be allowed to collect their students' cell phones,ipod,etc...? (high school, computers)

[ALonelyMan]

At the beginning of the class and put sticky notes on them with the students' name on it so they will know who they belong to in order to know that the students are not texting or listening to ipod in class behind the teachers' back and will probably pay more attention in class w/o their cell phones,ipods,etc. And then the teachers would give them back to the students at the end of class. Should teachers be allowed to do this?

[hey teach]

We do this only during statewide testing. I can't imagine any teacher I know taking up valuable instruction time to take up cell phones or IPOD's class wide. I do take them up from individuals who are listening, texting, or ringing. Their parents have to come pick them up to get them back. This is system policy where I work.

[Jess72]

Originally Posted by ALonelyMan

At the beginning of the class and put sticky notes on them with the students' name on it so they will know who they belong to in order to know that the students are not texting or listening to ipod in class behind the teachers' back and will probably pay more attention in class w/o their cell phones,ipods,etc. And then the teachers would give them back to the students at the end of class. Should teachers be allowed to do this?

It is sad that teachers have to tolerate babysitting cellphones or ipods. My daughters school has a no cellphone use rule until school is over. If a phone is seen it is taken away and they don't get it back until the end of the school year. They make the parents and the students sign a contract.

So to answer the question THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TOO

[LisaMc46]

Originally Posted by Jess72

It is sad that teachers have to tolerate babysitting cellphones or ipods. My daughters school has a no cellphone use rule until school is over. If a phone is seen it is taken away and they don't get it back until the end of the school year. They make the parents and the students sign a contract.

So to answer the question THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TOO

Excellent post. I agree. If a student at my child's school is caught with their cellphone out it is held in the office until they leave. No reason to be texting and talking when you should be learning.

[LIGuy1202]

Originally Posted by ALonelyMan

At the beginning of the class and put sticky notes on them with the students' name on it so they will know who they belong to in order to know that the students are not texting or listening to ipod in class behind the teachers' back and will probably pay more attention in class w/o their cell phones,ipods,etc. And then the teachers would give them back to the students at the end of class. Should teachers be allowed to do this?

Absolutely! In fact, the school should require all such devices remain in student's lockers or at home so each teacher wouldn't have to repeat the process for every class.

[lkb0714]

Originally Posted by LIGuy1202

Absolutely! In fact, the school should require all such devices remain in student's lockers or at home so each teacher wouldn't have to repeat the process for every class.

It is silly to expect high school students to leave phones and ipods in their lockers for the entire day.

We have recently reevaluated our policy on phones and ipods and I am very happy with it. Any unauthorized use during class and they are gone, second time for the rest of the year.

Ignoring technology is not an option. Learning how to use it responsibly is the best option.

I know I use my phone's calendar for all of my reminders and due dates and I encourage my students to do the same. The list of potential positives for technology make it reasonable to invest the time to learn to use them correctly. No different than using computers or the internet in my opinion.

[fallingwater]

It wasn't too long ago I was having a conversation with someone and he was complaining that the school took his son's cell phone away. This man was peeved saying his son had every right to text him at anytime during the day. I just looked at him. I finally asked what could be so important that his son needed to text him during the school day. He gave some excuse about if his son needed something from the store. Umm...wow. Anyway....My son's jr high had a policy that all cell phones and iPods are to be put in the lockers until the end of the day. I told my son if I find out he had his phone in class he would have to answer to me. Now he is in high school and they let the kids listen to iPods in the halls or use their cell phones. During study hall they are allowed to listen to iPods while they study. My son loves it but makes me wonder how many kids are really studying. So far he is doing the best he has ever done in school. I don't know if its the more lax atmosphere at the high school or he just matured. I would say if a teacher needs to spend class time collecting this stuff, its obviously a distraction. The school is failing its teachers because a policy needs to be implemented.

[golfgal]

In our school kids are allowed to use cell phones during passing time between classes and during lunch. Many teachers have incorporated cell phone use into lessons and then they can use them in class. The teachers outline the rules in their class, and each teacher has different rules, infractions are treated however the teacher sees fit (usually collecting the phone for the rest of the day). I think it is a good compromise actually. Cell phones are here to stay, it's the 2000's version of "passing notes". Teachers are very good at figuring out who is texting on their phone while it is in their pocket too. . Most of our kids' teachers have the kids place their phone on their desk at the start of class, it works.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by Jess72

It is sad that teachers have to tolerate babysitting cellphones or ipods. My daughters school has a no cellphone use rule until school is over. If a phone is seen it is taken away and they don't get it back until the end of the school year. They make the parents and the students sign a contract.

So to answer the question THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TOO

My thought as well...The electronics should never be allowed in school to begin with!!

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

My thought as well...The electronics should never be allowed in school to begin with!!

I am voting here.