Restrictions on device use during class

[talmy]

Depends on the course, level, and device.

I've been teaching (upperclass) Electrical Engineering courses for 25 years, retiring this year, so I've seen lots of changes. However my rules have been consistent.

1. CELL PHONES -- OFF. Just like holding any side conversations during a lecture, it's rude to the instructor and disruptive to the class.

2. COMPUTING DEVICES -- ALLOWED. Actually, required. If they don't come with a notebook computer they need to use a desktop computer provided in the classroom. I'd like to see ownership of a notebook computer a course requirement, but I don't have that sort of control. (It is a requirement in the Computer Science program.)

3. RECORDING DEVICES -- DISCRETION OF INSTRUCTOR. I've always allowed students to make audio or video recordings, and in the past three years I've made recordings of all the class sessions (multicam at that!) and placed them online for student access. But I think it's perfectly reasonable for an instructor to object to recordings as they could be viewed as theft of the instructors intellectual property.

 

[haroldboston]

I was just always asked to be respectful. If a professor saw a particular pupil using his/her electronic devices more than average, they might call him/her out on it. But nothing too major. I found that most people were respectful of professors.

 

[VI™]

1. CELL PHONES -- OFF. Just like holding any side conversations during a lecture, it's rude to the instructor and disruptive to the class.

2. COMPUTING DEVICES -- ALLOWED. Actually, required. If they don't come with a notebook computer they need to use a desktop computer provided in the classroom. I'd like to see ownership of a notebook computer a course requirement, but I don't have that sort of control. (It is a requirement in the Computer Science program.)

The line is already blurred here and will be more so with the new OS updates that allow Messages to receive text from all phones and not just iphones. But you have other chat programs like Skype, FB messenger, and others. Restricting a phone but allowing an internet connected computer would actually make it easier for users to conversate with others outside of class and you wouldn't see them typing on their phone.

Our classes haven't had any hard restrictions on phones so far, but that's understandable as it's a community college and a lot higher portion of the students have children and family they have to care for, so knowing if an emergency were to come up is important for them. I've never really texted during class though. I've shot some FB messages regarding band shows and photography gigs, but they've been few and far between while waiting for the instructor to catch up to me in the PP slides.

 

[talmy]

The line is already blurred here and will be more so with the new OS updates that allow Messages to receive text from all phones and not just iphones.

Texting doesn't bother me because it doesn't disturb the class. Frankly, there is very little of it where I teach. Students tend to be older -- much more studious and probably less into the culture of always communicating!

Our classes haven't had any hard restrictions on phones so far, but that's understandable as it's a community college and a lot higher portion of the students have children and family they have to care for, so knowing if an emergency were to come up is important for them.

I excuse cell phone use for emergencies or for people with jobs where they are "on call".

 

[joshlalonde]

I would quite frankly have to refuse to comply with any teacher that attempted to impose such restrictions upon me. I know what works best for me and it's not pen and paper. I take digital notes with a stylus and keep them organized in OneNote.

Honestly, I had hoped this was middle school not high school let alone College. I don't play games during class unless the teacher isn't teaching. If he or she is teaching, then I'm taking notes and that's that.

The entitlement part you're taking about is probably just teenager attitude but I don't think every teenager is the same. I can't say I'm super mature, but I know that what I'm doing is justified and I don't want someone dictating how to learn. I can make those decisions for myself.