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Yes I agree. I don't want to sound serious. Today I think I said "everyone please pay attention" at one point, but not in an angry tone.
I also think it's important to make sure and tell them when they did something good. That will motivate them to continue doing good things.
I am VERY much into following rules, always being on time, etc., in my own life. But I decided I would not impose my OCD traits on the students. I don't say anything if they come in late, or if their homework is late.
I have very little teaching experience, so I decided I would not try to do this perfectly. I am an amateur musician and singer, however, so I have a lot of experience trying to entertain people and keep their attention. I think maybe that helps.
Fortunately, my department has a late policy, so I can pass the buck on being the bad guy there. But generally without a late policy, they tend to come later and later, until I'm sitting in the classroom alone every day for 15 minutes. We give a grade for attendance, so it's a black and white issue - lates actually reduce the grade by a certain percentage.
This is noted in every one of my classes, in the first session when going over policies. Since phone usage is generally not permitted in class, if there is emergent reason one needs to take a call, they are to leave the room to do so.
It's good to treat students respectfully and like adults, and likewise, it's their responsibility to do the adult thing and go elsewhere to take a phone call without disruping others.
I think no phones is OK for high school, but it won't wash in a college classroom. My students have their phones out all the time. I have just incorporated them into the class - we use facebook for all kinds of class-related things. Before that I tried everything to get them off the phones, and nothing - not even threats of failure - worked.
Fortunately, my department has a late policy, so I can pass the buck on being the bad guy there. But generally without a late policy, they tend to come later and later, until I'm sitting in the classroom alone every day for 15 minutes. We give a grade for attendance, so it's a black and white issue - lates actually reduce the grade by a certain percentage.
But if they come in late every day they could miss important information. I think the good students realize this, so they come on time.
The ones that come late all the time are probably the ones who don't care, so they will get a lower grade anyway, without me penalizing them.
I think I am getting a sense of who are the good students, vs the not so good. I'm giving them the midterm this Thursday, so then I'll see if I was right. I hope so! I really hope the ones who seem to be trying do well on the test.
I think no phones is OK for high school, but it won't wash in a college classroom. My students have their phones out all the time. I have just incorporated them into the class - we use facebook for all kinds of class-related things. Before that I tried everything to get them off the phones, and nothing - not even threats of failure - worked.
It is actually the reality in my current graduate program.
Phones are not to be out, unless there is an extenuating circumstance you have informed the instructor of, and then you must leave the room to take a call. There is a break an hour and a half into each class, and phones may be used/checked then, and packed away again when class resumes.
It is actually the reality in my current graduate program.
Phones are not to be out, unless there is an extenuating circumstance you have informed the instructor of, and then you must leave the room to take a call. There is a break an hour and a half into each class, and phones may be used/checked then, and packed away again when class resumes.
I would be insulted that anyone would tell me when I could or could not use my phone. Phones have too many functions today - reminders, calendars, and so on - to tell anyone they can't have it out. Also, I'm an adult. I like to have my phone out and I occasionally check something - i.e. a date on my calendar, or some notes that I put there, or the time left until break - during the class that I teach.
I would be insulted that anyone would tell me when I could or could not use my phone. Phones have too many functions today - reminders, calendars, and so on - to tell anyone they can't have it out. Also, I'm an adult. I like to have my phone out and I occasionally check something - i.e. a date on my calendar, or some notes that I put there, or the time left until break - during the class that I teach.
So...watches are for old fuddy-duddies, now?
The thing is, if you're checking your calendar during the class lecture, it means you're not paying attention to the lecture. You have no valid need to be wondering about your schedule (appointments, etc.) while you're in class. There is no urgency to checking your calendar, for the hour or two that you're in class. All that's doing, is distracting you from the lecture, and note-taking, or whatever. It means your mind is not on the class topic.
I would be insulted that anyone would tell me when I could or could not use my phone. Phones have too many functions today - reminders, calendars, and so on - to tell anyone they can't have it out. Also, I'm an adult. I like to have my phone out and I occasionally check something - i.e. a date on my calendar, or some notes that I put there, or the time left until break - during the class that I teach.
People may be insulted. I don't know. I'm not. I appreciate that people can be fully engaged and present in class for a couple of hours sans out-of-class distractions, and that others aren't behaving distractingly or rudely.
The thing is, if you're checking your calendar during the class lecture, it means you're not paying attention to the lecture. You have no valid need to be wondering about your schedule (appointments, etc.) while you're in class. There is no urgency to checking your calendar, for the hour or two that you're in class. All that's doing, is distracting you from the lecture, and note-taking, or whatever. It means your mind is not on the class topic.
Yeah, there is literally nearly nothing on my phone that can't wait till the break, or that I can't temporarily excuse myself from the classroom to address, in the case of a true emergency.
One problem is they don't have clocks in classrooms anymore, and people don't wear watches. So during the midterm today, I guess I have to keep writing the time on the board?
One problem is they don't have clocks in classrooms anymore, and people don't wear watches. So during the midterm today, I guess I have to keep writing the time on the board?
lol No clocks in classrooms anymore? What, your college can't afford clocks? *snicker*
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